On the occasion of the upcoming opening of the International Exhibition Climatherm 2026, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, sent his personal greetings, with the following text that includes extensive references to the energy sector in our country. We should also note that the opening of the Exhibition will be held by Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos, who will honor us with his presence.
The Minister's greeting follows.
Greetings from the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavros, for the Climatherm exhibition magazine Energy 2026 / 27 Feb – 1 Mar 2026
«"Energy is a key factor in growth and prosperity"»
Energy is one of the key pillars for the country's development, competitiveness and prosperity, with Ministry of Environment and Energy to be at the center of attention of the collective government effort to achieve these goals. In an era where energy security is emerging as an important aspect of national security, Greece is not only playing a leading role in shaping developments, but is also consolidating its role as a reliable and strategic energy hub in the wider region. From households and small and medium-sized enterprises to industry and large investments, energy policy permeates every sector of everyday life, technology and economic activity, directly affecting the cost of living, productivity and prospects for sustainable development.
In this context, the The New Democracy government has invested in strengthening our country's energy self-sufficiency and autonomy. The Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) Summit, hosted by Greece last November, transformed our country into a central artery of development in Central and Southeastern Europe, that is, in a region of 100 million people, while it was the occasion for the signing of a series of important energy agreements, which made the Greece a pillar of energy stability in the wider area.
In the direction of diversifying energy sources, we have managed to change the energy mix, reducing polluting lignite in electricity production by 91% since 2005, doubling the use of RES since 2018, investing in electricity and natural gas networks which we will export through the vertical axis to central and northeastern Europe, in 2024 we became - for the first time since 2000 - a net exporter of electricity, marking a historic turning point in our energy balance, strengthening Greece's role as an energy hub, with electrical interconnections extending from the Southeastern Mediterranean to Central Europe.
We are developing, in parallel, the hydrocarbon sector, with the ExxonMobil-HelleniqEnergy-Energean consortium, to carry out the first exploratory drilling in the country after 40 years, within 2027, while procedures are also progressing with Chevron, so that seismic and geophysical surveys can begin from 2026. Therefore, our country has attracted, through its infrastructure, economic and political stability, the two largest listed oil companies in the world, achieving geostrategic reinforcement and hope for a significant strengthening of national wealth.
In our planning, beyond the long-term benefits, the daily life of citizens and businesses is a central priority. With programs such as the I Save, I Save for Young People, I Do Business, I Change Heating System & Water Heater, but also with targeted actions to support the flow of household and entrepreneur electricity, such as through Social Tariffs and the dynamic, orange tariff, we seek to reduce energy costs, enhance energy efficiency and directly improve the standard of living.
We continue with policies that respond to the real needs of the economy and society and create a more sustainable and fair development model for all.
Good luck at the international exhibition Climatherm Energy 2026.
