Parliamentary Questions on Kythera Industrial Wind Farms

Parliamentary intervention by Fragkiskos Parasyrys – Question to the Ministry of Environment and Energy regarding the delay of the Presidential Decree

On May 14, 2025, PASOK-Movement for Change MP for Heraklion, Fragkiskos Parasyrys, submitted a question to the Minister of Environment and Energy, highlighting serious concerns raised by the Kythera community regarding the installation of industrial wind farms in Natura 2000 protected areas.

In his question, the MP reminds of the European Court’s conviction (C-849/19) against Greece for its long-term failure to establish adequate protection measures for Natura network areas. Although the Ministry of Environment proceeded with developing Special Environmental Studies (SES) and opened the relevant Presidential Decree for public consultation in October 2023, this draft has remained posted for months without being approved or published, raising questions about the government’s intentions.

Mr. Parasyrys focuses particularly on the case of Kythera, emphasizing that the SES recognizes the island’s migratory importance for Mediterranean birds and proposes a complete ban on industrial wind farm installations in Natura areas and across the island generally, due to its environmental value.

Nevertheless, as the MP points out, on April 11, 2025, an Environmental Impact Study was submitted to the Ministry by a consortium of Greek and Arab investors seeking to install 115 wind turbines with a capacity of 135MW on an island that covers only 277 square kilometers and consumes just 5MW on average.

“The investors’ rush to ‘beat’ the issuance of the Presidential Decree, combined with the Ministry’s postponement, has caused great turmoil among Kythera residents,” Mr. Parasyrys notes specifically.

The questions addressed to the Minister:

1. When will the Presidential Decree prohibiting industrial wind farm installation on Kythera, as provided for in the SES, be approved and published?
2. Does the Ministry intend to approve the new Environmental Impact Study from the consortium planning 115 wind turbines within Natura 2000 areas?
3. What measures does the government intend to take to protect species and habitats of the Natura 2000 network, considering European convictions?

The MP calls on the Ministry to immediately proceed with institutional strengthening of environmental policy, stop the delays, and provide clear answers regarding the fate of the Presidential Decree before it is too late for Kythera’s unique natural and cultural landscape.

Source: https://kythera.news/pa-so-k-erotisi-sti-vouli-gia-tin-prostasia-ton-kythiron-apo-tis-vape/