Twin pumped storage hydropower projects in Greece get environmental approval

Proposals for two pumped storage hydropower plants next to each other in northern Greece received the environmental conditions. The Flampouro project is for 450 MW in both modes while Trani Rachi would be able to generate 594 MW and consume up to 600 MW.

Greece has an ambition to become a Mediterranean and European hub for renewable energy and energy transmission. Among other important segments, energy storage is rising in popularity among investors. Such technologies have a major role in accommodating the deployment of renewables and balancing supply and demand.

Within a string of proposed investments in pumped storage hydropower, twin projects Flampouro and Trani Rachi have just passed an important point in development. Both locations are next to the reservoir of the Ilarion dam and hydropower plant, near Kozani in the Western Macedonia province.

The projects were developed by investors from the Katselis family, the country’s media pointed out. The Ministry of Environment and Energy issued environmental terms (AEPO) for the two investment proposals in the north of Greece, under special purpose vehicles Aliakmonas 1 and Aliakmonas 2.

Public Power Corp. (PPC Group) operates the existing facility, of 154 MW, which consists of two turbines. Commissioned in 2014, it is part of a hydropower cascade of 1 GW on the Haliacmon (Aliakmonas) river, the longest in Greece. Government-controlled PPC Group is working on several pumped storage endeavors.

Storage capacity would total 6.2 GWh

The Flampouro pumped storage hydropower plant would work at up to 450 MW both in the generation and pumping modes. In storage capacity terms, it is seen holding 2.7 GWh. The upper reservoir would be at an altitude of 1,065 meters, four kilometers from the lower one.

The location is in municipal units Ventzio, Deskati and Kamvounia in the municipalities of Grevena, Deskati and Servia, respectively.

Trani Rachi is for 594 MW in production capacity and 600 MW in the pumping mode, for 3.5 GWh in storage. The site for the upper reservoir is at 1,380 meters above sea level and three kilometers from the lower reservoir.

Documentation shows that the facility would be in the municipal units of Deskati and Kamvounia.

Combined production estimated at 1.34 TW per year

The developers estimated annual output at 1.34 TWh, of which Flampouro would account for 581 MWh and Trani Rachi for 763 GWh.

Both projects involve road repair and construction, water tunnels and the installation of transformers, substations and 400 kV transmission lines. The investments envisage machine rooms underground.