Greece will double its lignite production over the next two years to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Greek government spokesman Yannis Economou said today, according to AFP.
“Brown coal is a pollutant, and natural gas is cheaper under normal conditions,” the spokesman told reporters.
But due to the war in Ukraine and the need for Greece to diversify energy supplies, the move, the spokesman said, would be “necessary” over the next two years.
Greece, which is 40% dependent on Russian natural gas, has been looking for alternative solutions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 to “ensure the country’s normal energy supply,” according to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Speaking at the opening of a photovoltaic park in northern Greece on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “Greece’s energy policy should be flexible given the current situation.”
These changes “in no way” will affect Greece’s stated goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the prime minister said.