Greece - Renewable EnergyGreece - Renewable Energy

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

Table: Share of energy from renewable sources
(in % of gross final energy consumption)

	2004	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
EU	8.5	15.2	16.1	16.7	17	17.4
Greece	6.9	15.0	15.3	15.4	15.2	15.5

Source: Renewable Energy in Europe 2018

	2018	2018
RES Generation Facilities	Units	MW Capacity
Hydro	120	3,382
Biomass	85	83.8
Wind	295	2,828.5
PV	14,417	2,445
Total	14,865	8,738.5

Source: CS Athens and market sources

EU Member States have agreed on a new EU renewable energy target of at least 27% by 2030. Greece nearly doubled its share from renewable energy sources, from 6.9% of gross final energy consumption in 2004, to 15.5% in 2017. Eurostat expects Greece to reach the 18% goal set for 2020 (Eurostat, 2018). The government’s target is to exceed the EU renewable energy goal of 2030 of 27%. These targets are legally binding, due to EU regulations and Kyoto Protocol agreement.

The submitted Special Spatial Planning for RES, which incorporated the latest European guidelines, so as to solve chronic problems, ranked 3^rd among other EU countries. It included a good description of policies and measures, providing information on the expected impact of planned policies, but was weak on the ambition dimension of the EU assessment.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

Wind Energy
The wind resources in Greece are among the most attractive for energy production in Europe, with a profile of more than 8 meters/second and/or 2,500 wind hours in many parts of the country. Capacity increased by an average of 30% annually between 1990 and 2003, and almost 30% of total capacity was installed in the period of 2003 - 2004. According to the Hellenic Wind Association wind energy in Greece grew significantly in 2018. More specifically, last year 103 new wind turbines were connected to the grid with a total capacity of 191.6 MW, which corresponds to an annual growth rate of 7.2% compared to the end of 2017. During the same period, 15.43 MW of older wind turbines were uninstalled, and they are already replaced by new ones (repowering). Thus, the total of wind capacity at the end of 2018 either in commercial or test operation stood at 2,828.5 MW. This capacity is installed mostly in the interconnected system (2,518.5 MW) and non-connected islands (310 MW of which 15.43 MW in repowering). Furthermore, at the end of 2018 over 500 MW of new wind farms were under construction and are expected to operate within the next 18 months.

Geothermal Energy

Greece lies in a geographic position that is favorable to geothermal resources, both high temperature and low temperature. High temperature resources, suitable for power generation coupled with heating and cooling, are found at depths of 1‐2 kilometers on the Aegean Islands of Milos, Santorini, and Nisyros. Other locations that are promising at depths of 2 ‐3 kilometers are on the Islands of Lesvos, Chios, and Samothraki as well as the basins of Central‐Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Low temperature geothermal resources are found on the plains of Macedonia ‐Thrace and in the vicinity of the 56 hot springs around Greece. These areas include Loutra ‐Samothrakis, Lesvos, Chios, Alexandroupolis, Serres, Thermopyles and Chalkidiki.

In April 2017, the Minister of Environment and Energy, signed a Ministerial Decision granting permit to the Municipality of Alexandroupolis to distribute thermal energy from the geothermal field of Antia-Aristina, with a thermal output of 9.8 MWth. The station will be installed in the municipal section of Aristos, Municipality of Alexandroupolis and is intended for the service of consumers within the geographical area of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis, for space heating or hot water.

Biomass & Biofuels
Greece is committed to increasing its share of biofuels to 10% of the final energy consumption under Law 3851/2010, which sets the national target for renewable energy sources in compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive. From 17 plants in 2010, to April 2019 with 20 biomass and 45 biomass units. Biodiesel has been used to provide at most 7% of the blend volume since 2009. The binding commitments of the Greek government to replace 10% of current transport fuels with biofuels by 2020 (currently mixing 7% biodiesel with diesel and 1% of biogas with gasoline) translate into measurable opportunities within the next decade.

Although Greece is not developing its biogas production rapidly, its use of substrate is essentially focused on waste valorization: landfill and sewage plants are massive in the country, and exclusively based on waste. The 20 small agricultural plants use mainly agricultural residues (92% of total substrate use), and only 2% of dedicates energy crops.

Biomass and biofuels are strong markets with high growth potential. In Greece, the agricultural sector accounts for more than 5% of GDP, more than three times the EU average of 1.8%. Companies involved in biomass and biofuels will therefore find abundant sources of raw materials.

Opportunities

Wind Energy

Superb wind resources – among the best in Europe
Priority dispatch by the system operator
Modern business oriented auctioning system
20‐year PPA (power purchase agreement)
Favorable, long term legislative framework, ensuring investment reliability

Geothermal

A wealth of geothermal resources
Emerging market substantial entry‐stage opportunities
High feed in tariffs
Wide variety of synergistic applications

Biomass and Biofuels

Abundant raw materials
Agricultural sector equals 5.2% of GDP vs 1.8% EU average
High feed in tariffs
Binding national commitments in biofuel use
Favorable, long term legislative framework, ensuring investment reliability

Theoretical biomass potential in Greece

Main Categories	Units	Capacity (MW)	Organic Wastes (T/Y)	Fuel Capacity(M/Y)
Cattle	25,530	726,013 cattle	13,601,970	233
Sows	2,560	147,920 sows	2,277,072	36
Systematic Poultry	1,972	33,875,054	813,001	86
Dairy Establishment	696	1,175,319	822,723	14
Total	30,758		17,514,766	369

Source: CRES/Biomass Dept.

The first step towards the establishment and operation of a biomass plant was the agreement between the Municipality of Larisa (central Greece), and the Center for Renewable Sources and Energy Saving (CRES) to conduct the respective study. Within 2018, more municipalities throughout Greece have contracted CRES for the development of similar studies. US firms engaged in the biomass sector can be part of the studies through submitting their offer/solution for biomass plants in Greece, resulting in a better chance to participate/be awarded the tender which will follow the completion of the studies.

Web Resources

Eurostat News release
Operator of Electricity Market (LAGIE)
Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE)
ADMIE
World Energy News
Greece Energy Situation
Factbook for Greece from CIA
Energy Press
NECP National Scorecard - Greece
BioEnergy News

Commercial Assistant: Teresa.Gile@trade.gov

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