A series of RES auctions starting in early 2024 for battery-equipped renewable energy projects of around 2 GW, which will be open to investors who have already secured connection terms, is a key feature of a plan being shaped by energy minister Thodoris Skylakakis to deal with grid insufficiencies.

A decision on the matter seems to have been taken, as suggested by the minister during an interview yesterday at the ongoing two-day Renewable & Storage Forum conference in Athens. He did not elaborate as a number of technical issues remain pending.

Strict conditions will be set for swift electrification of these new RES projects. It is believed that RES projects securing tariffs at the first auction will need to be operating by December 31, 2024. All ensuing auctions will also commit bidders to swift launches of new RES projects.

This zero-tolerance approach comes as a complete contrast to the progress of 3 GW in RES projects that had secured connection terms back in 2020 but have yet to be launched, as was pointed out at the conference by power grid operator IPTO’s chief executive Manos Manousakis, who called for stricter regulations.