Environment, energy and climate change minister Tina Birbili on Thursday paved the way for the construction of a 400 MW Aeolic (wind energy) park in Evia and the Cyclades Islands, in a decision released that concerns the construction and financing of a transport network for the produced energy.

   By the minister's decision, the Nea Makri-Southern Evia link will be built by the Public Power Corporation (PPC) and financed by the energy producers who have received licenses to set up Aeolic energy parks in Evia and the Cyclades.

   The investments are budgeted at more than 500 million euros and are slated for completion in three years.

   It is estimated that the new Aeolic parks will produce an average 1.2 million MWH (megawatt hours) annually, resulting in a reduction of 1 million tons in CO2 emissions per year, and savings of some 25 million euros annually for the Greek economy.