Major hydroelectric project gets green light

The meeting at Maximos Mansion was with Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis, Deputy Minister Nikolaos Tagaras and government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi.

The work is part of the greater project on the diversion of part of the Acheloos River in Thessaly that has been plagued by delays and interruptions at least since the 80s.

Samaras said that already 283 million euros had been invested in the past for the Messochora dam, and it needs another 110 million euros before it is finished; this funding is already available and will be covered by the Public Power Corporation (PPC).

Referring to the dam's construction history, the premier said it began in 1986 and stopped in 2001 because of court actions, that it needs two years of work to be completed, and that every year it is delayed it costs PPC 25 million euros. Losses to PPC by the delays exceed 300 million euros at present, he added.

The dam will produce 360 gigawatts per year using Acheloos' water, which it returns to its natural basin in the process. This production corresponds to 10% of all energy produced in Greece by hydroelectric plants, Samaras noted.

"To give you a sense of the value of production, this project could cover the entire energy consumption of an island like Corfu, or Peristeri in Attica or the annual consumption of Lesvos and Chios islands together. This is the first of a series of growth interventions beginning throughout Greece," he stressed.

"Greece is leaving the past behind," Samaras said. "We are investing in a better future with growth and job opportunities. In 2014 Greece entered a trajectory of growth for the first time after six years. We all feel very optimistic after today's (Thursday's) announcements by the Hellenic Statistical Service (ELSTAT) that notes a drop in unemployment, a more significant drop in the second half of 2014 at last, and, more significantly, a drop in youth unemployment."

"We still have a lot to do, however," he continued. "With the sacrifices of the Greek people, Greece is returning to normalcy month by month. I do believe that all of us together we can succeed."