In Western Macedonia’s Ptolemaida, the chimneys that fed Greece’s power grid for decades are about to go silent. 🏭➡️🌱 Mayor Panagiotis Plakentas warns that when the last lignite plants close in 2026, this town could “turn into Detroit,” as eight out of 10 young people who leave to study never return.
For generations, lignite mining was the region’s economic backbone—a blessing that turned into a curse as jobs vanish and “unemployment is rising,” Plakentas says. With the two remaining coal plants shutting by 2026, and one switching to natural gas, locals face a steep climb back to stability.
Public Power Company (PPC) has pledged over €5 billion for solar parks, data centers, and energy storage units in the next three years. But local council head Ilias Tentsoglidis sees “no sign” of these green projects, condemning the “brutal de-lignite-isation.” 😕
So, what’s next? Could Ptolemaida repurpose its grid and skilled workforce for renewable energy and digital innovation? Imagine solar farms powering data hubs, local startups tapping into Greece’s growing tech scene, and a new wave of green jobs. 🚀
For the region’s youth, this is a make-or-break moment: will Western Macedonia lead Greece’s green revolution or face a decade of decline? Keep an eye on Ptolemaida—it’s a global case study in energy transition, youth migration, and regional resilience. 💪
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Greece's coal heartland fears decline as lignite plants near closure
cgtn.com
