Group’s strategy PPC For investments of € 5.75 billion in green energy infrastructure and Mega Data Centers in the former lignite mines of the company in Greece, the Group President and CEO, presented today (14.5.2025). George Stasisat the AI & Tech Summit 2025 conference organized by Politico magazine in Brussels.
In more detail, during an interview with Politico, the head of PPC presented the strategic plan for the conversion of Western Macedonia from an area based on lignite into an energy and technological hub of clean energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure, which could be an example of the industrialist. We see that there is an increasing interdependence of the digital world with the world of energy, “Mr Stassis said.
The PPC president added: “The evolution of artificial intelligence, which requires much more energy production, on a massive scale, is an issue that must be resolved and tackled by utilities. The needs of data centers are so high that they require solutions at the level of utility. “
PPC’s € 5.75 billion investment plan on former lignite land in western Macedonia, includes over 3,000 MW of RES installed power, new modern conventional and alternative production units and 860 MW storage.
In addition to the needs of the country, this green energy will also be supplied with the largest data center in Greece and one of the largest in Europe to be created in the region, as the PPC plan is to contribute to the development of artificial intelligence in Europe by creating a new Mega Data Center 300 MW (up to 1.000 MW).
As the PPC leader pointed out, the energy of the Mega Data Center will become Behind the Meter, that is, his needs will not burden the country’s energy system.
“We believe that former lignite regions are the best point in Europe for the construction of Data Centers”, as they collect all the necessary elements for hosting large -scale Data Centers and technology infrastructure. PPC has land ownership, with readily available industrial land, without licensing obstacles and strong energy infrastructure in the area. The differentiated energy portfolio, with renewable production, gas, pumping, and batteries, ensures reliable and green energy supply. At the same time, the area has rich water resources, essential for cooling needs, experienced human resources with know -how in large projects, as well as strong high voltage interconnections.
These facilities can be critical infrastructure for supporting artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced analysis services, while creating jobs and giving new prospects for growth and prosperity for the area and its inhabitants.
Speaking about RES that will be green with the Data Center, the PPC president commented: “We could imagine a corresponding project in Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, and all these points interconnected with each other with fibers to work together.”
Answering a question whether new European policies are needed to build the Mega Data Center, Mr Stassis said: “I do not think we need additional policies from Europe to do our job, the construction of infrastructure. What is needed is a broader debate within the EU, its citizens and its actors, about the use of artificial intelligence and the moral framework that will surround it. There we have to focus. “
Source: RES – EIA