Greece Launches Energy Efficiency Program for Mountain Hotels

Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Environment and Energy Minister Thodoros Skylakakis, Alternate Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis and Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy on Monday announced seven energy upgrade programs, including one focused on improving energy efficiency in mountain tourism accommodations.

Speaking during the event to present the seven programs, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni emphasized the importance of the green transition in tourism, calling it essential for achieving sustainability and environmental protection goals.

Referring to the Environment Ministry’s program for the energy upgrade of mountain tourism accommodations, Kefalogianni highlighted that it offers multiple benefits, as it strengthens national climate goals, upgrades Greek tourism, and promotes balanced development in mountainous areas.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni.

The minister also discussed key issues central to the Tourism Ministry’s strategy for sustainable development, with a focus on policies aimed at strengthening Greece’s mountainous regions.

According to Kefalogianni, climate change is reshaping the preferences of travelers, who are now seeking destinations with sustainable practices and experiences that respect the environment.

“Travelers are increasingly seeking experiential activities that align with their interests, particularly those focused on environmental responsibility,” she said. “This creates new opportunities for the development of mountain tourism.”

Applications open for the seven energy upgrade programs

The seven energy upgrade programs, totaling 910.5 million euros, were opened for applications in January.

In addition to the energy upgrade of mountain tourism accommodations, the program includes the “Exoikonomo 2025” program for residential buildings, a scheme to replace heating systems and water heaters, and funding for businesses to install energy storage systems. There are also programs for upgrading energy efficiency in municipal daycare centers, kindergartens, and primary schools, as well as initiatives to enhance energy use in municipal water and sewerage companies.

Speaking during the presentation of the seven energy upgrade programs, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Thodoris Skylakakis said the interest in some of the programs, from the first days of their activation, has already been impressive.

“That is why we are considering the possibility of strengthening the budgets in some of them, with the aim of including as many beneficiaries as possible from all over the country,” he said.

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Thodoris Skylakakis.

Skylakakis highlighted the multiple benefits of the programs, noting that energy upgrades will lead to both energy savings and financial savings for households, alongside significant environmental benefits.

“We are directing the available resources to programs designed in such a way as to make the energy intervention as effective as possible,” he said.

More information on the programs, can be found on the Ministry of Environment and Energy’s website, here.

The programs are implemented within the framework of “RePowerEU,” the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0,” with funding from the European Union–NextGeneration EU.