PPC Unveils €5.75B Plan To Transform West Macedonia

Western Macedonia stands at the crossroads of a historic revolution as the Public Power Corporation (PPC) Group reveals a €5.75 billion investment strategy, aimed at transforming former lignite mining land into a vibrant hub of green power and innovative technology. This ambitious project represents a defining moment for Greece, making the region a key player in the energy and data economy of Southeastern Europe.

The investment sends a strong message regarding PPC's dedication to innovation and sustainability, highlighted by the scheduled construction of more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity and 860 MW of energy storage. The developments will directly complement the construction of Greece's largest data center and create the foundation for a whole new economic and technological identity for Western Macedonia.

Central to this vision is the development of an enormous data infrastructure project. PPC intends to develop a 300 MW mega data center on the location of the old Agios Dimitrios power plant, supplied solely by behind-the-meter green energy. Once developed, the facility will be completely independent, sourcing its electricity from renewable means without depending on external grids. The project does not end there—Phase 2 of the project would double the capacity of the data center to 1,000 MW, effectively making it one of the biggest data centers in Europe. PPC plans to invest €2.3 billion into the data center infrastructure, subject to the finalizing of agreements with global hyperscalers. The site is prime, with plenty of land available, existing grid infrastructure, stable cooling water supply, and high-speed fiber connectivity via PPC FiberGrid.

Georgios Stassis, PPC Group Chairman and CEO, highlighted the company's long-standing connection to the area and its inhabitants. "PPC has always been, and will continue to be, strongly rooted in Western Macedonia, a driving force for development and prosperity for the region and its people," he said. Stassis also characterized the initiative as a daring step that would transform PPC from a conventional energy company into a forward-looking "Powertech" company. "This plan is an accelerator for Western Macedonia to reinvent itself through technology. PPC is a Powertech company – and its heart will beat in Western Macedonia," he continued.

The job creation scale expected from this investment is also revolutionary. As many as 20,000 jobs will be created during the construction process, with a further 2,000 long-term operational positions. These jobs will not only stimulate the local economy but also help the region shift away from coal dependence to a sustainable, innovation-based model.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the extent and ambition of the plan as visionary at an international level. "I couldn't find the words to explain how ambitious and visionary this plan is. It is a global scope plan, not on an European level alone… I am totally convinced that… we are all able to apply it jointly," stated Mitsotakis.

A considerable share of the investment will be devoted to renewable energy and storage facilities. Approximately €1.2 billion will be spent on constructing photovoltaic (PV) facilities on ex-mining sites, for a total capacity of 2,130 MW—clean power enough to light more than 715,000 households. Another €940 million will be directed to energy storage facilities, including two major pumped hydro storage (PHS) facilities and a battery energy storage system (BESS) spread across the region.

The two most notable PHS schemes are the €430 million Kardia Mine plant, with 320 MW of capacity and an 8-hour duration, and the €310 million South Field Mine plant, with 240 MW over 12 hours. Simultaneously, a 300 MW BESS will be rolled out across Western Macedonia to stabilize the renewable supply and enhance grid resilience.

The project also includes the production of green hydrogen. PPC, in cooperation with "Hellenic Hydrogen," will build Greece's first industrial-scale green hydrogen facility in Amyntaio, further diversifying the local energy mix and setting Greece's position in the new hydrogen economy.

As Western Macedonia embarks on this historic transformation, PPC's strategy is a template for fair energy transition—striking a balance between economic rebirth, environmental stewardship, and technological advancement. It is a vision of a bold remaking of what used to be fossil-fuel areas in a carbon-neutral world.