The Board of the Centre for the Preservation of the Athonite Heritage (KEDAK) held under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Interior for Macedonia and Thrace Theodoros Karaoglou decided that photovoltaic systems would cover the energy needs of the monasteries of Mount Athos.
The study for the utilization of renewable energy sources on Mount Athos envisages the installation of photovoltaic fields in 21 locations on Athos Peninsula and the creation of modern energy systems to meet 75% of the energy needs of the monasteries, which to date are based on generators diesel oil and the extensive use of firewood.
The use of “green” energy sources in the Athonite State focuses on four things: the reduction of gaseous pollutants and mainly carbon dioxide as well as the noise pollution resulting from the extensive operation of gensets, the reduction of pollutants and dust due to the transfer of fuel through the dirt road network of Mount Athos, the economic benefit of the monasteries resulting from the reduction of fuel consumption and the possibility to meet the gradually increasing energy needs.
As Thedoros Karaoglou explained, the installation of photovoltaics was approved to meet most of the energy needs of the monasteries, needs “arising from the increase in the number of pilgrims, traditional workshops and most importantly the protection and promotion of cultural wealth of the Athos Peninsula with the creation of exhibitions, libraries, museums and cultural centers.”
Also, the Board of Directors of KEDAK welcomes the cooperation with the Association “Byzantine Universe”.The deputy minister and the president of the Association, Flora Karagianni, signed a cooperation agreement that provides that the archive of the “Byzantine Universe,” which consists of thousands of books and rare photographs, architectural and scientific documents, will be housed in the building owned by KEDAK in Thessaloniki.
Through this specialized library for Byzantium, scholars and researchers will have access to a rich private repository dedicated to the Byzantine world.
Source: ANA-MPA
