A strong message of hope – much necessary in these difficult times – was sent by the international exhibition «ECOTEC – Environmental Technologies & Photovoltaic Systems» which took place from April 22-25 in the «Expo Athens» exhibition centre in Anthoussa Attica.

The intense interest from the public was translated into a high rate of visitors (first results show more than 18.000 visitors), while the presence of executives from the State, Local Administration, scientific and business associations and the extensive media coverage proved that the demand for «green growth» is not only crucial but also needed by the public.

The 3rd edition of this annual exhibition, being the biggest one for environmental technologies in the Balkans region, had more than 250 exhibitors from Greece and 16 other countries (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic, USA, China, Israel, Korea and others) specializing in the sectors of renewable energy sources, recycling, urban and industrial waste management, energy saving, eco building, alternative fuel, environmental restoration.

On the official opening the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, mr. Giannis Maniatis took the stand emphasizing that «for the first time our country will give more than 5,5 billion euro for green growth actions and especially in environmental protection, renewable, energy saving and urban ecological restoration projects».

The representative of Nea Dimokratia, head of Political Responsibility for Environmental Policy Department mr. Kiriakos Mitsotakis said that «these times are not offered for small talks and confrontations, especially in the environmental sector. What we need right now is to join forces and on our behalf, something already proven in the past, we have no problem to give support where the government takes up the right initiatives».
Regarding the new directive for RES, the representative of ND commented that «Renewables can give an important way out of development for our country and ND will support the directive, making the necessary adjustments where needed».

After, the President of Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry, mr Konstantinos Michalos commented on the two speakers before him. «It is extremely encouraging, in such an important sector as the environmental one, that such cooperation and consent has been achieved. This is exactly what businesses need in order to move forward. ACCI has promptly endorsed this vision of green growth. We believe that it will be the tip of the spear for this country’s growth beginning from tomorrow, after the crisis».

The interest was also high for the events taking place within the 3day «Ecoforum» organized at the same days as the exhibition.
The Forum presented various topics as: biomass heating systems and alternative fuel for green transports (CRES), new technologies and innovative environmental protection applications(PASEPPE), solid waste management (HSWMA), green growth (Embassy of Denmark), Social Responsibility principles (Quality Net Foundation), passive-solar house of zero emissions (Ecoweek), PV monitoring systems(SMA Hellas), Opportunities for Czech-Greek Cooperation in Environmental Technologies and Renewable Energy Production(Embassy of the Czech Republic), Zigor inverters (Belkis Co) and decontamination technologies (Adventus Europe)

«ECOTEC – Environmental Technologies & Photovoltaic Systems» was under the auspice of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), while supported by the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Saving (CRES) and the most important scientific and business associations related to the environmental field.

The exhibition sponsors were the companies Aleo Solar, RenApps, Micplast  and Procom Energy while great communication sponsors were «Ecotec» and «SKAI».