[REVISION HISTORY]

Thessaloniki transport and Northern Greece development

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2026-09-02 09:46 UTC → 2026-09-07 07:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late August 2026, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated the Thessaloniki Metro expansion to Kalamaria, adding 4.8 kilometers and five stations. This project, completed by the AKTOR Group, is the first automated branching metro system in Greece. During a multi-day tour of Northern Greece, Mitsotakis emphasized Thessaloniki’s role as a geopolitical and economic hub, discussing the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development and projects like the Flyover road and airport modernization. Addressing the energy transition in Western Macedonia, Mitsotakis stated that a return to coal is not an option due to rising carbon costs. He highlighted the role of the Just Transition Fund in supporting the shift toward renewable energy and natural gas, emphasizing that the transition would create more high-paying jobs than those lost. During a visit to Ptolemaida on August 27, he inaugurated the foundation of a 130 million euro hydroponic greenhouse project by Wonderplant, which is expected to create at least 300 permanent jobs. He also inspected DEH’s 80 million euro high-efficiency cogeneration unit, intended to provide district heating to Kozani, Eordaia, and Amyntaio by the end of 2026. Following his visit on August 29, Mitsotakis faced criticism regarding the region's energy transition and the decline of the railway system. On September 1, 2026, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou and Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis met with regional officials to discuss digital transformation and the implementation of artificial intelligence infrastructure through the Pharos project. In Eordaia, local leaders raised concerns regarding the socio-economic impacts of the lignite phase-out, the need for faster transition processes, and the repurposing of industrial sites like the AEVAL area. Local priorities also include developing a hydrogen unit, establishing a railway connection to Thessaloniki, and creating a modern campus for the University of Western Macedonia.

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