The Hellenic Territory is privileged in terms of geothermal power due to the fact that it is situated in one of the most active tectonic regions of the world and also due to its geological structure. Promising areas are scattered all over the Hellenic Territory; furthermore confirmed geothermal fields occupy large part of it .

Greece, Italy and Iceland are the only European nations that host high temperature geothermal fields, suitable for electrical power generation. The volcanic arc of the Southern Aegean Sea (Sousaki, Aegina, Methana, Milos, Santorini, Kos, Nisyros) is an area anomalous in thermal terms, presenting the ideal conditions for high – temperature fields. The power generation potential for the Milos and Nisyros geothermal fields is estimated at 200 and 50 MWe respectively.

Nevertheless the country has a negative world record regarding its poor strategy and misguided initiatives in the past, resulting in a failure to exploit geothermal fields like Milos for supposed ‘environmental purposes’, in an era when state-of-the-art technology and expertise allows comprehensive solutions to all problems associated with the utilization of geothermal fluids, with minimal influence on the environment, at any rate less adverse than the effects from the diesel-fueled power plants operating at the same locations. Thus, geothermal fields on Milos and Nisyros have yet to be utilized, while a series of other promising areas have not been researched (Kimolos, Polyegos, Kos, Yali etc).

Meanwhile, the same regions on the volcanic arc, in renowned tourist resorts such as Santorini and Kos, contain unused reserves of low enthalpy geothermal fluids. Such reserves could greatly contribute to expanding and prolonging the tourist season (spa resorts, pool and area heating) as well as in solving their acute water supply problems (seawater desalination plants).
Regarding low enthalpy geothermal power, research has made great progress in the Central – Eastern Macedonia region and – partly – in Thrace. Commercial operation has already commenced in some of the confirmed fields (Nigrita, Langadas, Nea Apollonia, Sidirokastro, Nea Kessani), particularly for greenhouse heating purposes (Table 3). It is estimated that the above areas still have high potential for research and commercial operation, particular in Thrace where very favorable results can be expected.


There are also areas with high agricultural interest and potential that are still at the primordial levels of research. Areas such as Thessaly and Western Peloponnesus have been barely researched, although indications of the existence of low enthalpy fields are positive. The greater metropolitan area of Athens is also of remarkable interest.

Reinforcement of research and utilization of local geothermic resources can play a vital role in the advancement of national and community aims, at this turning point faced by nation’s economy. The nation cannot afford to remain at a primitive stage of development – not least as it is privileged in this area – at a time when Europe is planning to cover capacities of 1000 MWe and 5000 MWt through geothermal power by 2010.

The contribution of geothermal power to the significant reduction of using diesel for electrical power generation and desalination in the islands of Southern Aegean Sea, or for heating of homes and greenhouses in a large part of the Hellenic Territory can be of vital importance, allowing significant environmental and financial benefits as well as contributing to the country’s energy independence. Geothermal power must be regarded as a tool for decentralization and regional development, as this type of energy cannot be transmitted but only utilized locally.