Proposed new regulations on where future renewable energy production units can be installed will largely exclude environmentally protected areas and Greece’s higher mountains, the government said Wednesday.
The Environment and Energy Ministry said new solar panels would not be allowed in Natura 2000 areas, forests, many wetlands, national parks and near archaeological sites, among other restrictions.
Limits will also be placed on how close solar parks can be to settlements and how they affect views.
Wind turbines will be banned in the Greater Athens region, the Thessaloniki metropolitan region and on mountains above 1,200 meters in altitude, as well as in some environmentally protected areas, regions with high tourist development and small islands – unless they are deemed to serve the public interest.
The new proposed regulations will not apply to existing solar or wind parks, or to those that already secured all necessary permissions. Solar panels on buildings’ roofs are also not affected.
