The issue emerged suddenly in January 2025 and concerns two pumped-storage hydropower projects, which are opposed by the residents of the villages and settlements of the Municipality of Thermo—in an Aetolia-Acarnania already heavily burdened with RES and large-scale RES installations.
We speak with:
a) Despina Ziova, educator and primary-school teacher in Thermo Trichonidas, municipal councillor of the Municipality of Thermo, and member of the “Save Trichonida” front;
b) Thomas Kotsias, retired Hellenic Petroleum employee, former MP for Evrytania, member of the Agrafa movement and of the Committee of Struggle of Evrytanians and Aetolia-Acarnanians against large-scale RES.
Lake Trichonida is the largest natural lake in Greece, with an area of 95.8 sq. km, a length of 21.5 km, a 51-km shoreline, and a maximum depth of 58 m. Its waters are continuously renewed by springs beneath its surface, which is why it is considered one of the cleanest lakes in Greece. The lake is surrounded by numerous villages and settlements and supports a rich and rare ecosystem.
Birdlife: more than 200 species.
Mammals: otter, wildcat, wild boar, fox — wolves are now rare.
Fish fauna: 20 specie
Flora: plane trees, olive trees, citrus trees, oaks, poplars, cypresses, eucalyptus, arbutus, spiny broom, thyme, water lilies, and more.
In total, the lake hosts 200 taxonomic plant groups, many of them endemic or rare.
This natural wealth is now at risk from the sweeping changes brought by large-scale renewable energy projects, which threaten the heart, rhythm, and harmony of Nature.
Tracklist:
1. Ήμουν λίμνη μια φορά – Pantelis Karamargios
2. Nymphs and Wolves – Mary Papardaki
Watermark – Enya