IPTO, the power grid operator, has forecast three different scenarios concerning net electricity demand between 2015 and 2026, ranging from 59,250 GWh to 65,800 GWh. An intermediate scenario forecast electricity demand will reach 62,500 GWh. All three scenarios reflect forecasts concerning Greece’s economic growth.

Using 2014 as the reference year, IPTO forecast an electricity demand increase of between 3.3 and 4.1 percent for 2016, while demand is expected to rise between 17.9 and 31 percent until 2026.

The operator’s lowest electricity demand forecast has been linked to GDP growth rates of between 0.5 and 1 percent between 2015 to 2026. The medium-demand forecast is linked to GDP growth of between 1 and 2 percent, and the high-demand forecast to GDP growth of between 1.5 and 3 percent.

As for 2016, the three scenarios forecast net electricity demand of 51,910 GWh, 51,900 GWh, and 52,300 GWh, respectively. In 2014, net demand amounted to 50,228 GWh, a 0.86 percent decline. In 2013, demand fell by 3.7 percent.

For 2018, net electricity demand, based on the three GDP scenarios, has been forecast at 54,000 GWh, 55,300 GWh, and 56,750 GWh. The figures for 2020 are 54,750 GWh, 56,500 GWh, and 58,260 GWh, respectively.

As for the grid’s day-time peak demand level in 2016, the operator forecast levels of 9,800 MW, 9,950 MW and 10,100 MW for the three GDP-based scenarios.

IPTO forecast levels of 10,190 MW, 10,430 MW and 10,680 MW for 2018, 10,330 MW, 10,660 MW, and 11,000 MW for 2020, and 11,180 MW, 11,800 MW, and 12,420 MW for 2026.

Peak day-time electricity demand reached 9,263 MW in 2014 and 9,813 MW in 2015.

The operator forecast night-time peak electricity demand levels of 9,400 MW, 9.550 MW, and 9,700 MW for 2016, based on the three GDP scenarios, 9,920 MW, 10,230 MW, and 10,560 MW for 2020, and 10,730 MW, 11,330 MW, and 11,920 MW for 2026.