An international tender staged by PPC Renewables in search of a strategic partner to assist in the development, for electricity generation, of geothermal fields in Lesbos, Nisyros, Milos, Kymolos (Polyaigo) and Methana has drawn a total of seven major local and foreign bidders to the competition’s first round.

PPC Renewables, a wholly owned subsidiary of the main power utility PPC, holds exclusive exploration and explotation rights to these fields.

Enel Green Power Hellas, the Greek subsidiary of major Italian renewable energy company Enel; Ilektor, a member of the Ellaktor group; Terna Energy; France’s Storengy; Zorlu-Turboden, a Turkish-Italian joint venture; Turkey’s Maren; and KS Orka from Singapore, all submitted first-round bids.

PPC Renewables is aiming for a swift selection procedure and will strive to have signed an agreement with its strategic partner within the current year.

A partnership will be established with the preferred bidder for the development of a geothermal station on Lesbos possessing a capacity of at least 8 MW, while 5-MW stations are planned for each of the other aforementioned geothermal fields.

If upcoming exploration activities – to be conducted independently by PPC Renewables, concurrently with the tender – indicate that greater potential exists, then station capacities will be boosted.

PPC believes that the reluctance, if not outright opposition, of residents on some of the islands to the geothermal plan will be overcome once islanders are fully informed on technological progress made in the sector, preventing environmental impact. Locals revolted back in the 80s when an effort was made to develop a geothermal field on Milos.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, PPC Renewables signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s Sumec Group, a member of the China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach), for collaboration in Greece and the wider Balkan region.

Besides taking on projects in Greece, this agreement could enable the Chinese firm to enter Balkan markets for various projects, including development of wind farms and PV facilities. The first signs of this collaboration may emerge before the end of this year.