New wave of battery storage projects in Greece ahead of first auction

The market awaits the first auction for battery energy storage in Greece. But the general election is expected within a few months, so the date will probably be determined by the next government.

According to previous statements by the Ministry for Environment and Energy, an auction for 900 MW to 1,000 MW of battery energy storage will take place this year for the first time.

Given the fact that Greek elections are expected to last for a couple of months, the auction will probably take place in the second half of 2023.

However, investors are moving forward with their applications to the Regulatory Authority for Energy to be ready for the auction.

In recent days, RESK S.M. submitted an application for a 206.2 MW project in Kozani, while Public Power Corp. (PPC) plans a 148 MW storage system in its Kardia lignite mine.

Other companies include North Greece Ceramics with a 96 MW project in Kilkis, Chalki Energy with 100 MW in Attica and Solar Energy with 50 MW. Viniato Energy obtained two licenses for a total of 72.2 MW in Kozani.

HELLENiQ Energy (formerly Hellenic Petroleum) amended three of its licenses for photovoltaic plants in Kozani to include storage: a 12.8 MW project would have batteries with a capacity of 31.3 MWh, a future 30.1 MW plant would be paired with 68.1 MWh and a 25.4 MW endeavor was expanded with 51.1 MWh in storage.

Direen amended a license for a 60 MW PV plant in Florina to add 108 MW in battery operating power.

Regulatory body issued licenses for 2.5 GW in battery projects

By the end of January, the regulator already approved permits for 36 storage plants with 2.5 GW in total operating power.

Six, with 1 GW in total, are accompanying renewable energy projects. They won’t have the ability to absorb energy from the grid. The battery is used only to store the plant’s own power and deliver it to the transmission or distribution network at a later time. Such projects have priority in approvals for grid connection.

The remaining projects are for standalone battery systems. They will compete for obtaining support tariffs at the upcoming auction.

Natural gas projects allowed to switch to storage

A comprehensive renewables bill that the Ministry for Environment and Energy submitted to parliament includes an interesting decree. It envisages a limit to be set for the number of new natural gas plants that can be licensed in Greece, since investing interest has surpassed the country’s expected future needs.

However, the bill provides investors the ability to change their project from a natural gas plant to an energy storage facility. Companies can send amendment applications to the regulator until the end of June. According to the proposed law, storage capacity can’t exceed half of the original natural gas plant’s nominal capacity.