Countrywide wind power plants’ capacity tops 2 GW

Total wind energy capacity in the country linked to the grid exceeded 2 GW, Eletaen, the Greek Wind Energy Association, said in its preliminary report for the first half of this year, Energy Press portal wrote.

The benchmark level was struck on April 26 by a 2 MW Vestas V90 facility installed by Terna Energy in the Mavrovouni area of Viotia, slightly northwest of Athens. Still, the current total capacity remains at just 50% of the national objective that had been set for 2014, the report said.

A total of 103 MW in wind facilities were connected to the grid, while 440 kW were withdrawn, in comparison to the total amount of 113 MW registered last year. New facilities, either under construction or under contract, stand to add a further 198 MW, the report says. Eletaen noted that the total capacity for the first half of 2015 – both functional projects and ones at a testing stage – will amount to 2081.5 MW, up 5.2% compared to end-2014.

However, Greece’s net wind turbine power was 1.74 GW in May, as 20 MW of capacity was added, Lagie (Hellenic Electricity Market Operator SA) published in its latest monthly report.

PPC Renewables SA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PPC (Public Power Company), intends to more than double its green power capacity from current 148 MW, including development of a 120 MW aeolic park in Andros, northernmost island of Cyclades, and finishing the 157 MW Ilarionas hydropower plant near Kozani, Energy Press reported. Its business plan for 2014–2017 set EUR 327 million for investments.

Meanwhile, the Municipality Council of Karditsa in western Thessaly blocked the procedures for the construction of a 110 MW wind park in the region of Agrafa, Skai network’s portal said on May 27. The plan for installing 48 turbines was resisted by local stakeholders, saying information is lacking about the influence on the environment in the protected area.