Photo: Freepik
Applications for renewable energy projects requesting power grid connection terms continued unabated in Greece in 2024, according to data that Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE) released.
Applications to acquire connection terms were submitted for 13 GW of new renewable electricity projects this year. The number corresponds to about 50% of the country’s installations goal for 2030 (24.3 GW), based on the revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).
In total, unrealized projects awaiting connection terms have reached 47 GW, with the majority being photovoltaics.
The influx of new applications comes despite curtailments reaching 3.7% of green power production in 2024 and are expected to rise further in 2025. Furthermore, the grid is unable to support rapid expansion even though its operators have accelerated their efforts and investments in recent years.
2025 to mark the top for photovoltaics
In its annual report, SolarPower Europe called the Greek photovoltaics market “unstoppable.” This year, 2.9 GW is expected to become operational after two consecutive records already in 2022 and 2023.
However, experts expressed belief that 2025 would mark the high point of the tide. “In 2025 we expect to reach the peak, with almost the same capacity as this year,” said Stelios Psomas, policy advisor in the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO).
New trend in energy storage
One interesting aspect is that many investors keep pushing for renewables projects without battery energy storage systems. In December, just 12.5% of submissions to IPTO included storage, Energypress reported. But there is already an overall 14.5 GW in applications for behind-the-meter units – ones that would not be allowed to draw energy from the grid, and 4.7 GW for front-of-the-meter facilities, which can.
As for standalone storage systems, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY or RAEWW) received 49 applications in December, of which 20 are for pumped storage hydropower plants and 29 for batteries.
Interest in pumped storage projects accelerated this year. Developers submitted 50 applications for a total capacity of 9.81 GW.
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