The Greek government has identified 42 prospective projects, worth 5.6 billion euros, for inclusion in the so-called “Juncker package”, a Europe-wide stimulus scheme named after the EU Commission president.
Relevant Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis, speaking in Parliament, reminded that the Juncker package — officially known as the European Fund for Strategic Investment — does not foresee direct financing but is a mechanism to support private sector projects via bank guarantees and low interest rate subsidies.
Two primary “categories” were cited for Greece-based projects: one being development of new marinas, and the other being upgrades and improvements to public buildings.
Just as importantly, the ministry identified 20 energy related projects, worth 2.17 billion euros, that it wants to land in the package, including an undersea power cable linking Crete with the Peloponnese, a LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, solar/wind parks, small-scale hydroelectric dams, utilizing geothermal energy for hydroponic greenhouses as well as more effective power distribution.
