Georgios Stassis: “We will serve both citizens’ energy and AI needs”
Greek energy group PPC (Public Power Corporation), which acquired Enel’s assets in Romania, plans to replicate in Romania the AI gigafactory model it pioneered in Greece and expanded to North Macedonia. The announcement was made by Georgios Stassis, PPC’s CEO, during the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (PTEC) meeting organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy.
The concept transforms former lignite mining sites into hubs that combine renewable power generation with AI-dedicated data centers, directly linking energy production with data processing infrastructure.
Read also: Artificial intelligence becomes a top business priority in Romania for 2025
In Greece, PPC is building in Kozani–Ptolemaida an integrated energy and data ecosystem: 2 GW of solar, 500 MW of batteries, 650 MW of pumped hydro, and cogeneration units, all connected to a 1 GW data center. This system operates “behind the meter,” where energy powers AI infrastructure before feeding into the national grid.
“This valley, which produced electricity for decades, will gain a new identity — clean energy and data generation. We’ll be able to meet both energy and AI needs of our citizens,” said Georgios Stassis.
Stassis confirmed plans to replicate the model in Romania, estimating that AI gigafactories can be delivered within 2–3 years of construction.
“We’re in the age of the AI race, and Southeast Europe will deliver faster than expected. PPC will play a major role through these projects,” he added.
At the same event, U.S. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg called PPC’s North Macedonia project a “flagship of transatlantic cooperation”, praising its conversion of former coal sites into renewable-powered “factories of intelligence.”
Sursa foto: Forbes
