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Interview Questions for Bulgarian Media |
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 Marianne Osterkorn |
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Kostas Tigas |
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Interview with
Kostas Tigas
Director Center of
Renewable Energy Sources/ CRES - Greece |
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1. What is your opinion about the level of knowledge of SE Europe concerning the various opportunities in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy sector? |
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RES and EE applications are indeed on a low level in South Eastern Europe, however this is not a result of insufficient knowledge about technologies and/or investment opportunities. The lack of investment arises from the lack of legal and financial schemes that can safeguard the opportunity for and viability of investments. This situation is expected to be gradually amended along with gradual integration into EU structures participation into the structural funds.
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2. Are there any requirements on behalf of the EU, which Bulgarian companies have to be familiar with, concerning Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy? |
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Potential Bulgarian investors should be provided training on RES economics and relevant technological issues so as to be on line with the latest market developments. |
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3. What is the target of CO2 Emissions Trading Scheme and of Green Certificates? What have been your experiences in Greece? |
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Under European Council Decision 2002/358/CE, or the so-called “burden sharing agreement”, the national target for Greece is to limit the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008 to 2012 to 25% over 1990 levels. Measures for greenhouse gas abatement in Greece are the Hellenic National Action Plan for Abatement of CO2 and other Greenhouse Gas Emissions (1995) and the Second National Climate Change Programme ((2002).
Trading of electricity from renewable energy sources is not developed in Greece. There is neither a voluntary market nor a legislation/obligation driven market_for trading of “green electricity” or renewable energy certificates. Supply of RES-E in Greece is significant (hydro and wind) but, currently, it is not distinguished from other energy sources.
Furthermore, Greece has been slow in transposing the relevant EU directives into national legislation. More pressing issues regarding the liberalization of the energy sector have dominated policy agendas to date.
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4. How could the efforts for implementation of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy be supported? Are there any frameworks or funds which exist and that could subsidize projects? |
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There is plenty of financial support available to South Eastern European countries that want to implement RES projects. Integration into structural funds mechanism is paramount for the newly acceded countries. However other opportunities are available through ISPRA, EIE programmes. Financing has been provided in the past by the GEF programme of the World Bank as well as the EBRD.
It is definitely up to the national governments and local companies in question to look into those available opportunities and express their interest and commitment. The attached publication guides through CRES proposals for Greek enterprises as regards as financing methods for RES investments in Greece.
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5. Could you please tell us more about your organization? |
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The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) is the Greek national centre for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES). CRES was instituted as the national coordination centre in its areas of activity by the Law 2244/94 (Production of Electricity from RES) and 2702/99 (Various Regulations). CRES is a public entity, under the supervision of the Ministry of Development, General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT); but with financial and administrative independence.
During its fifteen years of operation, CRES has participated in more than 500 European and national projects. These include research and development, demonstration projects, projects dealing with energy information systems, feasibility studies, technical and economic studies, market research, as well as promotional activities for the use of RES/RUE/ES. Today, CRES has a scientific staff of more than 120 highly experienced and specialized scientists and engineers. About 10% of the staff is engaged in training and training related activities.
A large degree of experience has also been acquired in the development of international co-operation and protocols of co-operation have been concluded with various international organisations. More significantly, CRES has played an active role in various European initiatives, the development of policy documents and the organisation and realisation of the corresponding events.
CRES is a member of a number of European and international networks such as: EnR, MEDENER, FEDARENE, Energy Cities, EUFORES, OPET, EUREC Agency, Efficiency 2000, etc. Furthermore, CRES co-operates with large international organisations such as IEA, UNESCO, ISES, PLEA, IEC, CEN/CENELEC, etc.
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