Outside - Wärtsilä

Managing the growth
reportage
The true character of the islands is revealed by Alek
Tomazos, Managing Director of Wärtsilä in Greece,
whose roots are on the islands of Chios, famous for
its shipbuilders.
“We Greeks are very proud of our islands and their
people. The natural environment of the islands is
very special and we work hard to protect it – not
only for the people who live there and for visitors,
but also because of the substantial role that the
islands have played in our civilization.”
“The islanders were always restless spirits and
have contributed much to Greek civilization,” he
continues. “They have been traders and sailors
for almost three millennia. Not only have they
contributed many ideas, theories and philosophies,
they have spread them far and wide by sailing all
over the Mediterranean basin ever since 2000 BC.”
And they still do. “In the 20th century, many
islanders have manned the huge number of ships
that have helped Greek shipowners to create the
world’s largest merchant fleet,” says Tomazos.
Then came tourism. Over the last three decades
the islands have become a major tourist attraction.
“Millions of visitors come here year after year.”
It has to be asked whether there is a tradeoff
between the environment and such massive
tourism. “Of course there is,” says Tomazos. “But
we know this. If our natural environment is not
protected, we will lose one of our major competitive
advantages. For that reason, especially in the
last few years, we have been protecting both the
environment and our traditions to the greatest
extent possible. This is, after all, our home.”
Wärtsilä’s energy solutions, power
plants and propulsion systems
powering the ferries all play an
essential role in both survival and
providing a decent standard of
living on the islands during winter.
Wärtsilä is also fully undertaking
its social responsibility as regards
proper interconnection between
the islands and the mainland –
and for generating the electricity
that powers isolated grids when
supplies from the mainland are
very difficult, too expensive or
economically inefficient. And
doing it 24/7 – of course!
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