The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has confirmed that the long-delayed Mesochora hydropower plant in Trikala will finally advance, bringing an end to more than two decades of legal battles and halted construction. Although the project was officially revived in 2021–2022, decisive action is only now being taken to move it toward completion.
A new agreement has been signed with the Public Power Corporation (PPC), which developed the facility and will operate it once finished. Under the agreement, PPC will oversee and finance the remaining studies required to finalize the 161.6 MW project. The most critical element is the resettlement plan for residents of the Mesochora settlement—a longstanding obstacle that has prevented the plant from being commissioned. PPC will carry out the relocation work at a cost of 1.31 million euros, while the Government has reiterated that all affected households will be safely resettled and fully compensated.
Construction of the dam on the upper Acheloos River began in 1986 and was structurally completed by 2001. Since then, lawsuits and appeals by local communities and environmental groups have prevented the project from entering operation. More than 300 million euros have been spent to date—equivalent to nearly 500 million euros in today’s value.
The Ministry has established a dedicated task force to accelerate the remaining procedures, with the goal of restarting final construction works by the end of 2026. Expropriation of the remaining land parcels will proceed in parallel to ensure the dam and supporting infrastructure can operate as intended.
Once commissioned, the Mesochora hydropower plant is expected to generate around 360 GWh of electricity annually. In addition to contributing a significant volume of renewable energy to Greece’s power mix and aligning with the country’s updated National Energy and Climate Plan, the facility is projected to strengthen grid-balancing capabilities amid rapid growth in solar and wind production.
