Environmental groups criticize wind turbine projects in Evros Region
Three major environmental organizations — the Thrace Biodiversity Protection Association, the Hellenic Ornithological Society, and WWF Greece — issued a joint statement raising concerns over the Greek Ministry of Environment’s commitment to its promises regarding wind turbine developments in the Evros region.
The statement comes amid reports that the Macedonia–Thrace Regional Administration is expected to approve licenses for four wind energy projects. One of the projects is located entirely within the "Southern Evros Forest Complex", a nature conservation area that is part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network, and was severely damaged by wildfires. The remaining three projects are planned just 500 to 1,500 meters from the burn zone, within habitats home to rare birds of prey.
Environmental groups emphasized that all four projects belong to the same private company, with three of them aligned in the same sensitive area — despite similar proposals having been rejected in the past.
The joint statement underscores the risk to fragile post-fire ecosystems and calls on authorities to uphold their environmental responsibilities, especially in light of recent ecological disasters. The organizations are urging the government to prioritize protection over development, especially in regions critical for biodiversity conservation.
