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The population in Karpathos presents an augmenting tendency since the 80's, matching the economic ascent of the island. This was caused by an increase in employment mainly because of the tourist industry growth as well as the establishment of motives for decentralisation and the improvement in life quality standards. Thus, according to the Greek Statistics Agency, in 2001, the population of Karpathos reaches 6,511 residents while Kassos, the neighbour island, sums up 990 residents. It is estimated that during the vacation months, with the addition of both tourists as well as Carpathians visiting their homeland, the island surpasses 20,000 residents. The population growth of the islands led to a continuous increase on energy demands during the last years, which is generally expected to continue in similar rates as years go by. Diesel-fired generator units belonging to the Public Power Corporation (PPC) fulfil Karpathos' current energy requirements. Those units are installed in the region since it constitutes a Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS), therefore not connected with the central electric grid network of the continental Greece. Since Kassos is connected to the same SAPS network.