Offshore wind farm potential in Greece highlighted at industry event

Offshore wind farms have tremendous potential for development in the Greek market, and could be a game changer, Panagiotis Ladakakos, president of ELETAEN, the Greek Wind Energy Association, has told an industry event.

Floating offshore wind farms are a better option for Greece than fixed-bottom offshore wind farms as a result of the country’s great sea depths, which would increase the installation difficulties of fixed-bottom units, event participants agreed.

The ELETAEN president proposed the establishment of a framework offering a clear and detailed road map, adding that targets should be set for the next decade and beyond, all the way to 2050.

RES spatial map revisions incorporating Greece’s sea territory, as well as an action plan for the development of needed infrastructure concerning ports, shipyards and the supply chain are also needed, the ELETAEN president noted.

He added that power grid operator IPTO must take initiatives to plan sea transmission hubs for offshore wind farms, as this technology’s growth also depends on network development.

A pilot competitive procedure for a large-scale offshore wind farm project or projects would serve as a catalyst, the ELETAEN president added.

Greece’s potential in this sector was also highlighted by Francois Van Leeuw, co-CEO of Belgium’s ParkWind, one of a number of Belgium companies that participated in the event, staged as part of a three-day official visit to Greece by Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.