Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy has approved over €75.5 million in funding for 42 projects designed to address the country's growing water scarcity challenges. The initiative, part of the 2025 Sectoral Development Program, aims to upgrade and modernize water management infrastructure across the country, with a particular focus on island municipalities and drought-affected regions.
The projects will see the installation of new desalination units, the replacement of outdated water distribution networks, and the development of pipelines to transfer water between regions. These interventions are intended to alleviate water shortages, particularly in areas heavily impacted by prolonged dry spells. Among the most notable investments are desalination plants that will be introduced to several islands, including Andros, Kea, and Meganisi, all of which are receiving desalination units for the first time. Andros, known in antiquity as Hydrousa for its many water sources, will receive a desalination capacity of 600 cubic meters per day. Kea will receive 200 cubic meters per day, while Meganisi, which has been declared in a state of emergency due to water scarcity, will receive 600 cubic meters per day.
The initiative, part of the 2025 Sectoral Development Program, aims to upgrade and modernize water management infrastructure across the country
In addition to new desalination projects, 15 other islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas are set to benefit from expanded drinking water production capabilities. Islands such as Naxos, Amorgos, and Folegandros in the Cyclades, as well as Karpathos, Leros, and Patmos in the Dodecanese, will receive critical infrastructure upgrades to address long-standing water supply issues.
On the mainland, the focus will be on areas like Volos, where water sources will be better utilized, and Crete, which will see drilling projects aimed at improving local water access. Several other regions, including the Peloponnese, will also receive funding for desalination efforts and network improvements.
The ministry's approach combines new infrastructure with vital upgrades to existing systems in regions that have experienced escalating water stress in recent years. The funding is expected to help reduce water losses, manage resources more efficiently, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on local ecosystems. By prioritizing modern technologies, these projects are also designed to lower the energy consumption of water supply systems.
