RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, is moving to soon determine payment levels for hybrid power plant output on the non-interconnected islands, keenly awaited by market players before they proceed with investment plans.

The authority has commissioned a National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) department to conduct a related study, whose findings, expected within the next two months, will serve to guide RAE in its hybrid power station output payment rate decisions.

According to recent data made available by HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator), a total of 24 hybrid power station projects exist around the country, 18 of these on Crete, representing a total capacity of 571.5 MW; three on Rhodes with a total capacity of 36 MW; one on Tilos, offering 0.4 MW; one on Lesvos with a 15-MW capacity; and another on Ikaria, measuring 2.55 MW.

Besides the hybrid power station output payment rates, sector investors are also anticipating the development of interconnection projects to link the non-interconnected islands with the mainland. These projects, crucial for the sector, are behind schedule.

Hybrid power plants often contain a renewable energy component that is balanced via a second form of generation or storage such as a diesel genset, fuel cell or battery storage system.