Public Power Corp SA, Greece’s biggest electricity producer, plans an international tender for a strategic partner for renewable energy investments, starting with the world’s biggest solar project.
The 600 million-euro ($810 million) project is to build a 200-megawatt photovoltaic park and an associated panel factory in Kozani, northern Greece, said Arthouros Zervos, PPC’s chief executive officer, according to an e-mailed transcript of his comments. The biggest solar park at present is in Canada and generates 97 megawatts, Zervos said.
“This is a great step toward the fulfillment of a viable energy policy for our country as well as a new growth prospect for the local community,” Zervos said.
A partner is to be chosen this summer and construction will start at the end of the year, Zervos said. The Athens-based company aims to complete the project, which will create 200 permanent and 350 temporary jobs, in about 18 months, Zervos said, adding that the solar park will reduce Greece’s carbon dioxide emissions by 300,000 tons a year.
Prime Minister George Papandreou has said “green growth” will help Greece to overcome its economic crisis. The economy is forecast to contract for a third year in 2011, shrinking 3 percent, before returning to growth in 2012.
PPC plans to invest 1.8 billion euros in the northern part of west Macedonia by 2015, according to Zervos. Unemployment in the area was 17.2 percent in October, the highest in the country, according to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority on Jan. 13.
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