The Independent Citizens’ Movement “HOPE for Democracy,” founded by Maria Karystianou, has launched a sharp attack on the government’s lignite phase-out policy, denouncing what it calls the completion of a massive “energy crime” against Western Macedonia and Greece as a whole. The trigger was the launch of demolition procedures at the Agios Dimitrios thermal power plant.
In a statement, the movement notes that an expedited tender process is currently underway for the demolition of chimneys, cooling towers, and other structural elements of the “AGIOS DIMITRIOS 5” lignite unit, which ceased operations on May 15, 2026. It also recalls that the “MELITI 1” unit was shut down in December 2025, and voices opposition to the planned shutdown of “PTOLEMAIDA 5” scheduled for September 2026.
The movement argues that in the name of the “energy transition,” lignite is being prematurely buried. It describes lignite as the “black gold” of Western Macedonia, Megalopolis, and Greece at large, noting that for decades it provided jobs and powered the country with what it calls abundant and affordable electricity.
According to the statement, the government is stripping this benefit from the country and its citizens by choosing fully imported natural gas, in both gaseous and liquefied form (LNG), as its primary fuel. The movement also argues that other European countries that use lignite, such as Germany and Poland, chose to retain it for longer during their energy transitions by invoking national interest and energy security grounds, while Greece did not pursue the same option, which it says has contributed to rising energy costs.
Particular attention is paid to “PTOLEMAIDA 5,” which the movement describes as a state-of-the-art, brand-new, and modernized facility. It argues that the unit’s continued operation is not at odds with the energy transition, that it contributes to national energy security, and that it has not yet recouped its construction cost of 1.5 billion euros.
The statement also highlights what it calls major existing problems in the region resulting from the loss of thousands of jobs, noting that announced plans to create new employment have so far produced no tangible results.
Concern is also expressed about the future of district heating systems serving around 45,000 customers in Kozani, Ptolemaida, and Amyntaio. The movement notes that a temporary switch to heating oil is under discussion, which it views as a step backward relative to the goals of the energy transition.
The movement further notes that the Regional Union of Municipalities of Western Macedonia has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister proposing measures to address the region’s problems, including an extension of operations for power generation units, at minimum for “PTOLEMAIDA 5.”
The movement calls on the government to enter into substantive dialogue with local stakeholders and to reconsider decisions it describes as “inexplicable by common sense” and “contrary to the public good.” It demands that the expedited demolition tender be suspended until “definitive, carefully considered, and well-reasoned decisions” are reached.
Finally, it warns that any siting of a new natural gas unit on the “PTOLEMAIDA 5” premises in a way that would preclude the plant’s future reactivation would constitute, in its view, a breach of trust against the public interest and the destruction of public property, and that in such a case political, civil, and criminal liability will be sought.
