Environment Ministry plans waste incineration plants

[InTime News]

The Environment Ministry is advancing plans to develop six large-scale waste combustion units across Greece, aiming to reduce landfill use and enhance energy production.

A recent feasibility study, presented to the ministry, outlines proposed locations in Rodopi, Kozani, the Peloponnese (in either Arcadia, Ilia or Achaia), Viotia, Attica and Iraklio. These units will process both refuse-derived fuels and mixed municipal waste.

The Kozani facility, backed by energy utility PPC, is the most advanced proposal, with a €300 million investment planned near the Ptolemaida 5 plant to generate 38 MW of energy.

In total, the units are projected to handle hundreds of thousands of tons of waste annually.

Officials argue the move will support energy security and help meet the national target of reducing landfill disposal to below 10% by 2030. However, the project has sparked criticism over high costs, long-term municipal contracts that could work against meeting recycling targets, limited transparency and potential environmental consequences. Concerns have also been raised about bypassing EU environmental funding restrictions, as the EU does not finance waste incineration projects.

A public consultation on the strategic environmental impact study is expected, though critics note key decisions appear to have already been made.