Greece adds only 230 MW in wind capacity in 2022, aims at 7 GW by 2030

Greece connected wind farms with a combined 230 MW to the network last year. Total installed capacity rose by just 5.2% to 4.68 GW.

The volume of new installations was weak due to a decrease in the suitable area for the construction of wind farms, as well as the ongoing bottlenecks in the licensing process.

It should be noted that the government recently took steps to exclude certain mountains from the installation of wind turbines, in an effort to appease public reactions and protect the natural beauty in these areas.

Wind farms to reach 6 GW in the next three years

According to the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (HWEA or ELLETAEN), 68 new wind turbines were installed last year, representing investments of EUR 230 million. Wind production peaked on November 22, at 83.4%, while it surpassed 30% of nominal capacity for 2,138 hours last year.

By the end of 2022, wind farms with over 840 MW in combined capacity were under construction. They are expected to be connected within 18 months. Another 450 MW is at the contracting stage.

Terna Energy leads investors while Vestas is the top manufacturer

When it comes to the biggest players in the Greek market, Terna Energy maintains its lead with 713.6 MW and a share of 15.2%. Motor Oil is second with 706 MW or 15.1%, Iberdrola Rokas follows with 375 MW (8%). Next are Enel Green Power with 368 MW (7.9%) and EREN with 250 MW (5.3%).

Other companies in the lead are EDF, Mytilineos, PPC Renewables, Jasper Energy, Cubico and HELPE Renewables, a subsidiary of HELLENiQ Energy.

The largest equipment supplier in the Greek market is Vestas with 46.1%, with Enercon, Siemens Gamesa, Nordex and GE Renewable Energy completing the list.

#Wind Energy #Statistics in #Greece for 2022

? 4,681.4 MW
? 68 new WTGs, 230 MW within 2022
? 5.2% annual #growth⬇️vs 2021
? Max. hourly #penetration: 83.4%
? 30% of the projects from #auctions connected
?~6 GW within the next 3 years https://t.co/14xLZy4Pmg pic.twitter.com/YlFynW0mf6

— Hellenic Wind Energy Association (@HWEA_ELETAEN) January 25, 2023

A low wind goal for 2030 and beyond

It should be noted that photovoltaics surpassed wind energy in new and total installations, as investors have turned their attention towards solar power and energy storage. The Regulatory Authority for Energy’s (RAE) application backlog shows 13.2 GW for PV just in 2022, on top of 17 GW from 2021, as well as 19.5 GW of battery projects so far in various stages.

The new National and Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), presented recently, is set to determine a goal of 2 GW for new onshore wind capacity by 2030 and 2.7 GW in offshore wind. It means that, gradually, wind energy is becoming secondary in terms of new renewable energy capacity. After 2030, the onshore segment would rely mostly on repowering and less on new projects. Only 3.4 GW in onshore wind is expected from 2030 to 2050.

HWEA: New installations are lower than what the country needs

Notably, just 30% of projects that participated in auctions have been connected so far, while HWEA expects 6 GW of total installed capacity to be reached within the next three years.

The association noted that licensing delays and public reactions have led to a drop in new installations, which are crucial for Greece’s energy transition. HWEA Chairman Panagiotis Ladakakos said the annual rise of 5.2% came in lower than in the previous years and weaker than what the country needs.