Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis called the planned Amazon Web Services data center in Kozani a project of major significance not just for Western Macedonia but for all of Greece, following a visit to the region days after DEI announced its partnership with the tech giant.
Mr. Hatzidakis said the facility's first phase will deliver 300 megawatts of capacity, with potential expansion to as much as 1 gigawatt.
He said the technical equipment and infrastructure inside the data center fall under Amazon's responsibility as part of the agreement.
On employment, Mr. Hatzidakis estimated the first 300-megawatt phase would create roughly 400 to 500 jobs, mostly for scientists and specialized technical staff, adding that if the project reaches its full 1,000-megawatt potential, employment could climb to around 1,500 workers.
Mr. Hatzidakis linked the investment to DEI's turnaround over recent years, recalling that when he took over as environment and energy minister in 2019, he "inherited a DEI that was on the edge of a cliff."
The DEI-AWS deal forms part of a broader plan to repurpose Western Macedonia's former lignite mining infrastructure, transforming the coal-dependent region into a hub for renewable energy and digital infrastructure. DEI has said the Kozani facility, sited at the former Agios Dimitrios lignite complex, could eventually become one of Europe's largest data centers if additional technology firms commit to the site, alongside a separate 12.5-megawatt facility already under development near Athens with DAMAC's EDGNEX Data Centers.