Opinions: Energy Observer and Prinos
Lambros Sakellariou, Hockenheim, 16.09.2025
The Energy Observer is a pilot laboratory ship that travels around the world to show that we can move with clean energy without polluting fuels. It generates electricity with solar panels and wind turbines on board and uses this electricity to make hydrogen from seawater through electrolysis. So it’s both a floating clean energy lab and an educational/communication project. It shows people what a zero-emissions future could look like. The technology is expensive and experimental, not yet economically viable for mass implementation. It is still a dream, an experiment in the right direction , a showcase, a symbolism project, a “demonstration” to show what we can do in the future without fossil fuels.
But what does all this have to do with the burial of the CO2 pollutants from fossil fuels in Prino?
The link between Energy Observer and the Prinos CCS seems to be mainly communicative: a pure sustainable fuels pilot project, such as Energy Observer, is “photographed” next to a landfill project (Prinos) to give a natural green profile to Prinos and enhance its public acceptance. The appearance of the Energy Observer in Prinos appears to be a strategically chosen public action on the part of Energean/EnEarth. The local community’s criticisms of greenwashing, lack of transparency and the potential risk to environmental safety should not be ignored despite these communication gimmicks. There are relatively strong assumptions that the Energy Observer partnership has strong elements of a communications strategy, including:
- Symbolic promotion / branding
The presence of international/innovative pilot initiatives such as the Energy Observer gives a “green profile” to Prinos, which helps to gain acceptance by the public, local communities and investors.
- Strengthening legalisation & political support
The lack of consultation with local communities, highlighted by politicians (MPs) and social groups, leaves gaps that can be filled by such appearances and communication actions.
- Dealing with reactions/criticism
There is clear criticism from various groups who see the CCS project as a possible example of greenwashing. The use of images and eye-catching actions such as the Energy Observer helps to shift the focus from technical and environmental issues to communication. We see several publications noting concerns about the risk of spills, environmental and seismic impacts, and how storage will occur due to the proximity of the reservoir to Thassos and Kavala. Despite the proximity of the reservoir to populated areas, there is a lack of reliable evacuation plans for residents, including test evacuations, especially regarding the speed of evacuation for the settlements from Rahoni to Kallirachi in case of a sudden blow out etc.
- Securing investment and financing
Energean needs to show progress and environmental responsibility to justify the funds it receives from government and European programs. A positive coverage and public acceptance reduces the political and social risk. To ensure this acceptance and to avoid popular or political scepticism, good publicity and a ‘positive narrative’ are needed. Prominence as a ‘technological frontrunner’ matters.
The appearance of the Energy Observer in Prinos does not seem to be just a demonstration of technology or environmental awareness. It is part of Energean’s broader communication strategy that aims to:
- enhance the “green” profile of the company and Prinos,
- ensure political, social and economic legitimacy,
- reduce the reaction of local communities and environmental stakeholders,
- advance its fiscal/investment potential, in particular with EU and state resources.
Energy Observer is a complex project, which, although in pilot stage, is a technological pioneer but also a powerful communication tool. CCS technology is not an unquestionable miracle solution. Critics argue that it distracts attention from the urgent need to reduce emissions at source, is energy-intensive and poses long-term storage risks. By explicitly incorporating CCS into its mission, Energy Observer places itself in politically and scientifically controversial territory. It may also lose a lot of funds because every billion € invested in CCS is lost to the real energy transition, which is the main objective of the Energy Observer.
