Olympia Odos: Inauguration of the solar program along the Athens–Patras highway

• Greece’s largest photovoltaic program along a highway
• 10 MWp installed across roadside land, toll canopies and rooftops, supplying 100% of Olympia Odos’ operational needs
• Accelerated delivery through the concession model

In the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, Olympia Odos, concessionaire of the Athens–Patras–Pyrgos highway, with shareholders VINCI Highways and the companies Avax, Aktor and TERNA, today presented a large-scale solar power plant program deployed along the highway and inaugurated one of the solar parks in the area of Kiato.

With a total installed capacity of 10 MWp, it is the largest highway photovoltaic plant ever developed in Greece. The plant forms a network of 19 photovoltaic parks installed along the highway across the regions of Achaia, Corinth and Western Attica. It makes use of roadside land, toll station canopies and rooftops of operational centers. Its production will fully cover the electricity needs of the highway’s operations, including lighting, dynamic signage and tunnel ventilation systems. With final technical adjustments and grid connections currently underway, the last units of the program will be built and plugged by the end of the year.

This project was financed and delivered in less than two years under the Olympia Odos concession contract with the Greek State, demonstrating the ability of the concession model to mobilize private investment for public infrastructure and accelerate the environmental transition.

This initiative is part of Olympia Odos’ plan to reduce its carbon footprint. Alongside other actions such as the widespread use of LED lighting, Olympia Odos aims to cut its direct emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 2030. Efforts also focus on helping to reduce road users’ emissions (scope 3), by encouraging the shift to electric vehicles. To this end, a new generation of EV charging stations is currently being deployed across the network. Delivered through the concession model, this program will bring EV coverage along Olympia Odos to 26 fast chargers per 100 km by the end of the year, in line with the best European standards.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, stated: "We are inaugurating the largest network of photovoltaic parks ever installed on a Greek highway. An investment exceeding 10 million euros, which, within just two years, has become a model of sustainable and energy-autonomous infrastructure. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport firmly supports initiatives like today's, which incorporate solutions with real added value for society, the economy, and the environment."

Belen Marcos, President of VINCI Highways, stated: “Decarbonizing road transport requires strong investment and fast delivery. The concession model makes both possible, by mobilizing private capital and taking action under the leadership of the public authorities. We thank the Greek government for using this model with ambition and agility. Together with our partners GEK, Aktor and Avax, we are proud to take a concrete step forward in decarbonizing Olympia Odos and enhancing the environmental value of highway infrastructure.”

Panagiotis Papanikolas, CEO of Olympia Odos, stated: “At Olympia Odos, we do not limit ourselves to building roads — we work to shape a sustainable future. One of the most significant steps in this direction is the reduction of our carbon footprint. With 19 photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 10 MWp installed along the highway, we currently cover 100% of our infrastructure’s electricity needs with renewable energy. This is a critical part of our plan to achieve net zero direct emissions by 2030”.

Through its photovoltaic program, Olympia Odos sets a benchmark for sustainable and energy-sufficient infrastructure, not only within Greece but also at a European level. It stands as a tangible example of how technology, innovation, and environmental responsibility can coexist in the design and operation of major transport projects.