ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, has, amongst other matters, underlined Greece’s importance in the exploitation of offshore wind potential in the Eastern Mediterranean region in its Offshore Wind Farm Interconnection Infrastructure Development Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean.

ENTSO-E held a meeting in Brussels earlier this week, where the development plan was presented. Greek power grid operator IPTO took part.

Italy is the region’s only country to have developed offshore wind farm projects thus far, but ambitious targets, given the current situation, for 2040 and 2050 will be achieved with countries such as Italy and Greece at the forefront, ENTSO-E noted.

The Eastern Mediterranean region’s South and East Offshore Grids will require energy transmission infrastructure totaling 8.7, 19.2 and 28.3 GW in 2030, 2040 and 2050, respectively, ENTSO-E has estimated, adding that investments needed by 2050 could reach 15 billion euros.

Environmental studies ahead of offshore wind farm projects may face fewer challenges and problems than corresponding onshore projects, ENTSO-E pointed out.

The Eastern Mediterranean region possesses strong wind potential and new offshore wind farms can help the electricity sector meet 2050 targets and become a zero-emission industry both in this region and the EU as a whole, ENTSO-E supported.

The development plan for offshore wind farms in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions includes Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Romania and Slovenia.

Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy and Romania have all set official offshore wind farm development targets, while Bulgaria and Slovenia have yet to do so.