The Artificial Intelligence mega data center planned by the Public Power Corporation (PPC/DEH) in Kozani, northern Greece, will have no impact on the electricity bills of households and businesses, emphasized George Stassis, Vice President of Eurelectric and Chairman & CEO of PPC, during the European organization’s annual conference in Helsinki on Wednesday.
A key topic of discussion at the conference, which wraps up on Thursday, is the impact of data center growth on power grids and electricity prices, given that these facilities consume massive amounts of energy for cooling.
Stassis, in his capacity as Vice President of Eurelectric, and Diane Hodnett, Google’s Director of Data Center Investment and Development, representing industry companies, signed a cooperation agreement during the conference.
The agreement aims to investigate the impact of data center growth on grids and electricity prices, as well as to formulate proposals to address these challenges.
According to Eurelectric forecasts, energy demand from data centers developed in Europe will reach between 149 and 287 terawatt-hours by 2030, accounting for 28% of the total demand increase during the 2023-2030 period.
Mega AI Data Center in Kozani
PPC is accelerating its investment in a data center in Kozani, western Macedonia, aiming for an agreement with a hyperscaler within three to six months.
The first phase concerns a 300 megawatt data center with an estimated cost of 3.5 billion euros, of which 1.2 billion will be covered by PPC.
Construction could begin in 2026 with a completion date of 2028, while in a second phase the capacity could reach 1 gigawatt.
The development of data centers is reportedly “a key pillar of PPC’s new business plan for the period 2026-2030.”
Furthermore and according to PPC, “Western Macedonia offers available land, strong energy infrastructure and the ability to connect to high-power networks for the implementation of the project.”
Data center in Larissa
The Greek-Israeli consortium led by DEPA Commerce is preparing to make the final decisions towards the end of the second half of the year for the construction of the ultra-modern 792 MW CCGT unit in Larissa, with technology from the Japanese Mitsubishi. According to information from investors, this technology with a net thermal efficiency of 62.6% will be applied for the first time in Europe, and in fact with Larissa as a reference point, local onlarissa reporte.
The investment consortium brings together big business names from Greece, Israel and international funds. Clavenia Ltd, which is linked to the Israeli real estate giant AroundTown, will hold 38.5% of the investment, DEPA Emporias 35%, taking over the management and energy management, EUSIF Larissa S.A. 16.5% and Volton of Bakou – Kaimenakis 10%.
According to information, a data center is planned to be instructed in Larissa, center Greece. The 770-million-euro facility is expected to consump so much electricity as 500,000 households yearly and waste 100 million litters of water.
In best case, it will create 300 new jobs.
Three AI Data Centers in eastern Attica
Residents of Spata, eastern Attica and some 30 km away from Athens have already filed an application for annulment with the Council of State against the Joint Ministerial Decision establishing the Standard Environmental Commitments (SEC) for the licensing of three low-power data centers without prior preparation of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The locals pointed out that the competent authorities have not taken into account the total burden on the area from the already existing or planned units.
Last year, they appealed to the Council of State regarding the creation of large infrastructure for data centers in the area, requesting combined studies that will capture the potential impacts and also capture the relative carrying capacity of the area.
The main points of concern for the residents and the local municipality authorities are the noise and the micro-climate of the area from the expected increase in temperature and energy consumption.
The three data centers have been launched by Dromeus Capital-APTO, Microsoft, EDGNEX Data Centers of DAMAC-PPC). The case assumes particular importance in view of the imminent examination, by the Regional Council of Attica, of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for T largest center will have a capacity of 80 MW and has already received a negative opinion from the Spata-Artemidos Municipal Council. The relevant discussion on the opinion on the EIS of the Dromeus Capital-APTO investment has been scheduled for the relevant meeting of the Regional Council.
Residents and local bodies consider it certain that the planned installation of the three Data Centers with a capacity of 12.5 to 80 MW in the Spata area will cause “continuous noise (hum), as well as an increase in local temperature with consequent impacts on the quality of life and the environment.
via ypodomes.com
These projects, which are planned to be developed a short distance from residential areas within the plan and a large private school, as well as near a site for the construction of a public school and a kindergarten, are considered to have a significant impact on noise levels above the legal permissible limits due to the 24-hour operation of cooling machines and the periodic use of a large number of power generators.
The impact on the microclimate of the area will also be significant, due to the expected increase in temperature, but also the over-consumption of water resources and electricity.
The bodies report that despite the seriousness of the expected (based on international experience) impacts, no comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared for the three projects in combination and that each scheme has submitted its own study.
For the 12.5 MW data center, as claimed, no EIA will be prepared, since it is classified in the licensing category with Standard Environmental Commitments (SEC), while the carrying capacity of the area for such large energy-intensive facilities has not been assessed.
The Spata area already hosts critical infrastructure such as the airport, shopping malls and a zoological park, which makes it necessary to assess the cumulative burdens comprehensively before any new licensing. However, the siting process seems to be proceeding with piecemeal approvals, essentially bypassing the institutionalized consultation procedures.
Furthermore, the area has big agricultural lands.
Much to KTG’s knowledge the construction of at least one of the AI data centers is moving in fast pace.
PS Greece is one of the countries in the Mediterranean Sea threatened by severe water scarcity… but with A class A/C, extra cents for plastic bags environmental fee and paper straws we do all we can to save the planet.
BTW My older cat remembered when the PPC bills were categorized in blue, green etc colors and tariffs a few years ago and the government was assuring citizens “electricity bills will rise by 1 to 2 euros.”
Now we pay per month, so much as we used to pay in two months.
 in Kozani, northern Greece, will have no impact){kind=link}
The massive investment in AI is logical for big business (in their attempts to control the world) and absolutely stupid and suicidal for governments. AI does not function on its own: it needs experts to check its suggestions, correct or reject them, and ensure that the world functions reasonably well. Our governments have no intention of checking the AI results, which will lead to absolute chaos and absurd nonsenses on an everyday basis.
Moreover, the AI infrastructure is absurdly expensive, uses massive amounts of electricity and water similar to the usage of a large city, and its environmental footprint is horrendous. Recent research suggests that one large AI centre will raise the local temperature by 5 C.
Only total idiots would get involved with this waste of money. Guess which EU government is most enthusiastic!