Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002898/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Elena Kountoura (The Left), Nikos Pappas (The Left), Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)
The project for the maritime transport of CO2 from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece and Italy and its storage in the existing oil reservoir system near Prinos on the island of Thasos, Greece, has been allocated EUR 270 million in funding from the RRF[1] and CEF[2]. However, the project has been met with strong opposition from the local community, a negative opinion from the Municipal City Council[3] and serious objections from the scientific community, namely: a) uncertainty about long-term safety and monitoring challenges, (b) the likelihood of CO2 leaks from underground strata, (c) risks of seismic activity and impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems, tourism and fisheries.
There are also strong reservations about environmental licensing, the incomplete implementation of the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, unclear conditions in the final EIA, insufficient assessment of cumulative impacts in accordance with EU and national legislation, the lack of consultation with local communities and the lack of transparency in the environmental assessments[4].
In view of the above, and considering the extremely limited development footprint, can the Commission say:
- 1.What is the justification for the continued support for and the considerable EU funding awarded to the project?
- 2.With regard to the project’s approval and the protection of the environment on the basis of applicable safety standards, as well as public participation, has national and EU legislation[5],[6],[7] been complied with?
- 3.How does it intend to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and the environmental acquis?
Submitted: 15.7.2025
- [1] https://competition-cases.ec.europa.eu/cases/SA.108267?from=latest-updates&caseInstrument=SA&dateHighlight=2025-02-13
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_377
- [3] https://www.kavalanews.gr/52171-dimotiko-symvoylio-kavalas-arnitiko-apothikeysi-co2-ektos-i-kyvernisi-dosei-diavevaioseis
- [4] https://enainstitute.org/event/apothikefsi-dioxeidiou-tou-anthraka-ston-prino-prasini-technologia-i-kindynos-gia-to-perivallon/
- [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EL/TXT/?uri=celex:32009L0031
- [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/92/oj/eng
- [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1153/oj/eng