The European Commission has approved, exclusively for Greece, the request of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance to expand the scope of the existing national escape clause so that it includes measures that strengthen the country’s energy resilience. The relevant letter had been sent on August 6, 2026.
The new investments are expected to reach €1 billion by 2028 and will be covered by national resources. They are exempt from the net primary expenditure growth limit of the European economic governance framework, up to 0.3% of GDP per year and up to 0.6% cumulatively through 2028. It should be noted that the related spending is counted in the primary balance and in public debt.
The option provided aims to cover measures that strengthen the resilience of the European energy system and speed up the transition away from fossil fuels.
The main projects planned to be included under this framework are:
- A new €200 million subsidy program for batteries for renewable energy sources.
- A new €200 million nationwide program for heat pumps and solar water heaters (100,000 beneficiaries).
- A new €50 million Just Development Transition project (heat pumps, solar water heaters, rooftop solar panels with batteries) for 10,000 beneficiaries in Western Macedonia and Megalopoli.
- The €117 million “ILEKTRA” program for the energy upgrade of 109 old public sector and university buildings.
- The €45 million “FOIVOS-ATHINA” program for the energy upgrade of 246 schools (elementary schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers).
- A €50 million carbon capture and storage initiative in industry.
- €320 million in railway projects for safety improvements and expansions.
- €20 million in bus charging stations.
Pierrakakis: This is the Greece we are building
Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis commented on the significance of the decision:
“Today’s decision by the European Commission to approve the energy escape clause, which applies exclusively to Greece, has particular political and economic importance.
It confirms that Greece is a strong and reliable country that sets goals, achieves them, and plays a leading role in shaping European decisions.
The energy escape clause allows us to move forward with critical investments that will lower energy costs, strengthen our energy autonomy, and reduce our dependence on international crises. At the same time, we maintain the ability to support citizens and businesses whenever conditions require it.
This is the Greece we are building. With a strong voice in Europe, a dynamic economy, and greater security for society.”
