Manousakis, Vasilis G.
Journal of Energy History, No 14(1), 2025, p. 90-105.
Type: Articles in scientific journals

Abstract: During the Interwar years Greece relied heavily on coal imports for industrial use and electricity production, with the majority coming from Britain. The Axis powers’ occupation of Greece in 1941 severed access to overseas markets, while coal imports from Axis-controlled Europe were limited, thus leading to widespread fuel shortages. The efforts to address the coal shortage through rationing, the use of hydroelectric power, and lignite mining proved useful but insufficient due to transport issues, funding problems, and Resistance interference. Consequently shortages persisted, leading to severe consumption restrictions and factory shutdowns. These experiences prompted postwar plans focusing on lignite and hydroelectric power generation to escape similar crises in the future.

Keywords: Coal, Lignite, Second World War, Greece

Open access https://stm.cairn.info/journal-journal-of-energy-history-2025-1-page-90?lang=en.