The prospects for the development of offshore wind farms and the challenges of coastal erosion were presented during a special interdisciplinary workshop held on November 20, 2024, at the facilities of the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (EAGME) in the Olympic Village. The event took place within the framework of the European project GSEU – Geological Service for Europe, implemented by EuroGeoSurveys, the European association of Geological Surveys.
The workshop, titled “Coastal Vulnerability and Offshore Windfarm Siting”, brought together invited scientists and representatives from European geological institutes, who presented key findings of recent studies and discussed how geological research supports the development of modern and essential renewable energy sources in the era of climate crisis.
Opening the event, Dr. Dionysios Goutis, General Director of EAGME, welcomed participants and highlighted that EAGME, through its participation in such a major scientific project, contributes valuable data and expertise to help national and European authorities make effective decisions addressing the impacts of climate change. He emphasized that, through GSEU, EAGME reaffirms its mission to advance scientific research and cooperation with academic, governmental, and European geological organizations for the benefit of society.
In his address, Mr. Aristotelis Aivaliotis, Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources, noted that Greece has an ambitious renewable energy program and that the workshop’s outcomes can serve as guidelines for advancing key initiatives toward climate neutrality.
Ms. Julie Hollis, Secretary General of EuroGeoSurveys (EGS), underlined the shared vision of European geological surveys for sustainability and elaborated on the importance of European cooperation. She stressed that the ultimate goal is to make geological research findings available to society, helping to identify both the benefits and the risks of geological phenomena as climate change intensifies.
Mr. Aristofanis Stefatos, CEO of the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (EDEYEP), commended EAGME’s contribution to the scientific analyses that open new development opportunities for Greece, with substantial impact on the national economy. He also emphasized the close collaboration between EDEYEP and EAGME in achieving shared goals.
Mr. Panagiotis Ladakakos, President of the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (ELETAEN), highlighted the crucial role of geological research in minimizing risks and fully leveraging Greece’s strong potential in offshore wind energy.
The workshop concluded with presentations from European experts and a productive discussion on the future of renewable energy, framed by the principles of sustainability, followed by field visits to areas of geological interest.