By decision of Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, aimed at transforming Akrini, Kozani, into a Model Green Settlement, as well as improving residents’ quality of life and retaining the local population.
Specifically, these actions are as follows:
1. Energy retrofitting and installation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of residences and local businesses, combined with energy storage systems up to 8 kW in the settlement of Akrini, with a total public expenditure of 14,000,000 euros.
Examples of interventions include:
• work on the building envelope, such as adding insulation, replacing/adding window frames and glass panes with new, high-energy-efficiency ones,
• energy upgrades to electromechanical systems for space heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production,
• installation of high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) units, excluding fossil fuel CHP units,
• self-generation of electricity from photovoltaics with storage (simultaneous net metering with the option to feed surplus energy into the grid or not),
• upgrading of natural/artificial lighting systems,
• installation of automation and energy management systems, etc.,
• costs for consulting and design services.
2. Preparation of two studies, with a total public expenditure of 400,000 euros, concerning:
(a) the upgrading of the Bouzakia irrigation network with the aim of increasing irrigated land in the wider Akrini area, and
(b) the improvement and construction of the E35 road, with a total length of 10.6 km, connecting Akrini to the main Kozani-Thessaloniki highway.