Antiktypos

ERT News Radio – Antiktypos, 4 October 2026

In a 25‑minute discussion, Yannis Bassias described Europe's growing triple energy anelasticity, resulting from the combined effects of geopolitical complacency, infrastructure depreciation, and demographic decline. According to the analysis presented, these three accumulated structural memories increasingly constrain the European Union's ability to adapt to a rapidly changing geopolitical, economic, and energy environment.

The interview emphasized that three decades of investment in renewable energy, while advancing decarbonization objectives, did not eliminate the need for reliable energy sources capable of operating continuously. The expectation that intermittent renewable generation could rapidly replace dispatchable energy sources underestimated the continuing importance of system reliability, flexibility, and energy security.

A further challenge identified was the rapid growth of electricity demand from data centres. The expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is creating additional competition for available electricity at a time when large-scale electricity storage remains insufficient. As a result, demand for power is increasing faster than the availability of firm and continuously accessible supply, contributing to persistently higher costs for consumers.

The discussion also highlighted the strategic role that Greece could play in Europe's future energy architecture. The development of hydrocarbon resources west of Corfu could reinforce the Adriatic Vertical Corridor, while the Eastern Vertical Corridor, centred on Revithoussa, Alexandroupolis and the IGB interconnector, could progressively extend northward into the Balkans. While natural gas demand in the European Union has declined significantly since 2020 and demand in the Balkans remains relatively modest, the project's strategic value lies in enhancing supply diversification, increasing the presence of U.S. LNG in Southeast Europe, and preserving future supply options under uncertain geopolitical conditions.

At the same time, it was noted that European investment priorities are increasingly directed toward electricity grid modernization and the financing requirements associated with Europe's rearmament efforts. In this context, long-term energy corridor projects must compete for political attention and capital, even though their strategic value extends beyond current demand and contributes to Europe's future resilience.

The interview concluded that Europe's energy challenge is no longer limited to the transition toward lower emissions. It now involves balancing decarbonization, security of supply, competitiveness, growing electricity demand, and long-term strategic resilience in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. The underlying message was that Europe must overcome the constraints of its growing triple anelasticity while preserving the flexibility and infrastructure options required to address future geopolitical and energy disruptions.

Antiktypos - ERT Radio - Sunday, October 4, 2026

Αντίκτυπος με την Ευρυδίκη Χάντζιου | 04.10.2026 - ERT εcho

Yannis Bassias interview starts at 00:27:00.