WRITTEN QUESTION E-3678/97 by Rosemarie Wemheuer (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Construction of a power station in Crete

1. Can the Commission say whether a photovoltaic power station is to be built in Crete - and if so when -, what capacity a power station of this kind has, how much EU aid is to be provided and which undertakings are being awarded the contract?

2. It has been repeatedly reported in the press that Greenpeace has had some influence over the construction of plants of this nature. Can the Commission say what this influence amounted to?

3. Can the Commission state what progress has been made in respect of a project promoted under the Thermie Programme for the construction of a solar power station in Crete with a nominal generating capacity of 50 MW and say where this project is due to be built?

4. Is there any connection between the construction of a photovoltaic power station in Crete and the project already being promoted on this island under the Thermie Programme for the construction of a solar power station? Can it confirm reports that the solar power station is to be replaced by the photovoltaic power station?

5. Is the Commission aware of any applications for Regional Fund resources for the construction of fossil fuel power stations in Crete submitted by the Greek Government, the Cretan regional government or any local bodies or state or private undertakings?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1998)

1. Under the Energy operational programme, which is part of the 1994-99 Community support framework for Greece, the company Iweco Solar SA has submitted two proposals for the construction of photovoltaic units for the generation of electricity, the first with a capacity of 5 megawatts (MWe) in the Mires area of Heraklion and the second with a capacity of 4.9 MWe in Rethymon. Only the first proposal has been adopted, subject to certain conditions. The Greek authorities are currently examining whether the proposer has fulfilled these conditions.

2. The Commission is not familiar with the reports to which the Honourable Member refers. It therefore cannot provide the details requested.

3. The solar thermal plant of 52 electrical megawatt (MWe), called Theseus, is co-financed by the Thermie programme. The Theseus project concerns the installation of an electricity production power station with a capacity of 52 MWe, which combines a field of solar energy receivers (high temperature technology) with a conventional gas generator (hybrid system). The site envisaged is Fragokastello in the Chania prefecture (Crete). The design phase is supported by Thermie (contract number TE/235/96) due to the innovative character of the proposed hybrid system. Specific details of dimension, design and best suitable consortium will be given at the end of this first phase and in accordance with the regional energy planning in Crete. The project contract was signed in December 1996 and the project started in January 1997.

4. Due the fact that the photovoltaic power plant and the solar thermal plant are being developed through different Commission instruments, different energy technologies (photovoltaic versus hybrid solar thermal), different sizes (5 megawatt peak (MWp) versus 52 MWe), and different objectives (regional development versus technological innovation), there is no reason for exclusion of one project because of the other.

5. The Commission has not received any applications for co-funding under the European Regional Development Fund for this type of project.