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Amazon Expands Renewable Energy Footprint With Three New Projects In Greece

Amazon has announced a major investment in three new renewable energy initiatives across Greece, boosting its commitment to sustainable energy sources. These projects bring the total number of power purchase agreements (PPAs) Amazon has signed in the country to eight, aligning with the company’s broader climate goals as part of its Climate Pledge initiative. The pledge includes achieving net-zero carbon emissions across all its operations by 2040.

The latest projects, with a combined capacity of 657 MW of carbon-free energy, are expected to power around 330,000 households in Greece. Thanasis Patsakas, Country Manager for Greece at Amazon Web Services (AWS), stated, “Amazon is dedicated to driving the transition to carbon-free energy not just for our operations, but for the communities where we serve our customers. We’re proud to have secured eight wind and solar energy deals in Greece, positioning Amazon as the top corporate buyer of renewable energy in both Greece and Europe by 2024.”

Among the recent agreements are the Elzet solar farm and Menelou wind farm, both owned by Portugal’s Greenvolt. Located in Thessaly and Western Greece respectively, these projects are part of a broader strategy to bolster the region’s renewable energy capabilities. The Hellas Green solar farm, developed by Luxcara, adds to this momentum in Western Macedonia.

Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, praised Amazon’s ongoing investments in Greece, highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources for the country’s energy transition. “Greece holds a natural advantage in renewable energy, and Amazon’s continued investment is a catalyst for achieving our national energy goals,” Skylakakis noted. “Such initiatives not only provide environmental benefits but also create new jobs and offer affordable electricity to local households.”

Looking ahead, Amazon has also committed to additional projects, including the Vermi wind farm in Macedonia and wind farms in Peloponnese’s Mesokorfi and Koukouras areas, which are expected to begin operations in 2026.

Cyprus Government Surplus Rises To €1.61 Billion In First Nine Months Of 2026

Cyprus recorded a general government surplus of €1.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, equal to 4.0% of gross domestic product, as revenue growth outpaced the rise in public spending. Higher receipts from income taxes, social contributions and value-added tax (VAT) drove the improvement, while lower capital expenditure helped restrain spending.

Preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus show the surplus rose to €1.17 billion, or 3.0% of GDP, up from € 442.1 million in the same period of 2025.

Total government revenue increased 6.5% to €12.09 billion, while expenditure rose 2.9% to €10.48 billion.

Key Fiscal MeasureJanuary–September 2025January–September 2026
Total revenue€11,353.9 million€12,091.8 million
Total expenditure€10,186.2 million€10,482.1 million
Government surplus€1,167.6 million€1,609.7 million
Surplus as a share of GDP3.0%4.0%

Income Taxes And VAT Lead Revenue Growth

Taxes on income and wealth made the largest contribution to the increase in revenue. Receipts in this category climbed by €442.2 million, or 15.3%, to €3.34 billion, compared with €2.89 billion a year earlier.

Social contributions rose by €235 million, or 6.6%, to €3.78 billion. Taxes on production and imports increased by €251.5 million, or 7.2%, reaching €3.77 billion.

Net VAT receipts, after refunds, totalled €2.64 billion, up €293.1 million, or 12.5%, from €2.35 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

Some Revenue Streams Decline

Not all revenue categories moved higher. Capital transfers fell by €74.6 million to €96.7 million, while current transfers declined by €71.6 million, or 20.5%, to €278.2 million.

Revenue from services slipped 1.0% to €743.5 million. Interest and dividend receipts dropped by €37 million, or 28.6%, to €92.4 million.

Social Benefits And Personnel Costs Increase

On the expenditure side, social benefits rose by €199.6 million, or 4.9%, to €4.27 billion. Compensation of employees—which includes imputed social contributions and public-sector pensions—increased by €108.3 million, or 3.8%, to €2.99 billion.

Intermediate consumption, covering goods and services used in the delivery of public services, rose by €114.3 million, or 11.0%, to €1.16 billion. Interest payments increased by €8.7 million, or 2.6%, to €340.7 million. Current transfers were up €68.7 million, or 10.6%, at €714.7 million.

Lower Capital Spending Limits Expenditure Growth

The overall increase in spending was tempered by a decline in capital expenditure. Capital-account spending fell by €189.9 million, or 16.9%, to €936.2 million from €1.13 billion in the same period last year.

Investment in fixed capital declined by €94.1 million, or 12.1%, to €686.4 million. Other capital transfers fell by €95.8 million, or 27.7%, to €249.8 million. Subsidies also decreased, dropping by €13.9 million, or 15.5%, to €75.8 million.

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