An overwhelming majority of RES projects that have received finalized connection terms from power grid operator IPTO can be considered stagnant as their investors have failed to sign agreements taking them to the next stage of the licensing procedure.

Of 11.3 GW in RES projects that received connection terms from IPTO in 2022, projects representing 8.9 GW have yet to sign agreements.

This slow movement by green investors is hindering the country’s ambitious RES objectives set for 2030 as stagnant RES projects are essentially reserving grid capacity that could otherwise be utilized by more robust investors.

In response, the energy ministry intends to soon deliver a draft bill that would prompt the withdrawal of idle RES projects taking up valuable grid capacity for extended periods, without any limits. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had first announced this plan at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September.

IPTO has delivered a related proposal, filtering out idle RES projects, to the energy ministry.

Projects that have received connection term offers up to December 31, 2022 will need to submit grid connection applications no later than 30 days after the energy ministry’s related legislative revision has been ratified, sources informed.