Greece could pay off part of its public debt by providing electricity from solar plants. To take advantage of this option would be, in particular, Germany. The idea emerged during a summit between the European energy commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, the director general for energy, Philip Lowe, and the head of the union for the task force in Athens, Horst Reichenbach.
The hypothesis was soon transformed into a dossier which is now being examined by Oettinger and a working group of specialists who are studying possible technical solutions. Berlin has reacted positively to this idea, also because it would fit perfectly into the plan for the implementation of clean energy and the progressive reduction of nuclear power. German companies also seem to have welcomed the option and, in fact, Economy Minister Roesler is in Athens with a group of sixty entrepreneurs to verify investment opportunities. However, it is not all that simple: the expansion plan for solar energy production envisaged by the Greeks would amount to around 20 billion euros and foreign investors would certainly ask for specific guarantees.
The geographical location plays, however, in favor of the project. Greece boasts 50% more radiation than Germany, but currently its solar energy production is about 80 times less. The costs are high, but if the plan is implemented it would trigger a virtuous circle based on the creation of almost 60 new jobs.
