energy cooperatives

PVs of 300-500 MW needed for farming PPA energy-cost cuts

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Development of a solar-energy portfolio between 300 and 500 MW will be required so that farmers participating in cooperatives and farmers active in contract farming may establish PPAs offering electricity prices at least 30 percent lower than current levels over a ten-year period, the energy ministry has estimated.

Photovoltaic systems to be developed for this purpose will include batteries, thereby enabling part of their production to cover energy needs during nighttime hours for irrigation and other needs.

Sizeable state subsidies for integration of energy-storage systems into PVs are expected, ministry sources informed.

The extent of this subsidy support will be determined through a study to be conducted by the ministry in order to calculate the total energy-storage capacity required to secure electricity-cost cuts of at least 30 percent for farmers, the sourced noted.

According to an initial estimate, battery installations will need to represent roughly one-third of the total capacity of solar farms if this electricity-savings target is to be achieved.

Energy cooperatives bill to be presented as key RES initiative

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Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis plans to officially present a draft bill envisioning legal framework for the establishment of energy cooperatives, offering energy consumers the right to become shareholders in ventures, in September, a deliberate timing choice planned to coincide with a wider communication campaign planned by the government to trumpet its work in progress.

Stathakis is expected to present the energy cooperatives draft bill in Crete as part of an official visit also involving Brussels authorities.

The minister sees the bill, which underwent public consultation procedures in June, as a tool possessing potential to generate a new round of major investments in the country’s renewable energy sector.

More generally, the government intends to include it envisioned prospects of this draft bill to its wider socially-oriented production plan, aiming to offer production opportunities to common people for a stronger social economy as a key pillar of its economic growth plan.

As part of the government’s energy cooperatives plan, local energy communities will be able to develop and lease distribution networks, while renewable energy communities will be able to produce, consume, store and sell renewable energy without being subject to disproportionate charges that do not reflect actual costs.

The draft bill’s place in the parliamentary queue for prospective debate and ratification will be determined within the next few days, when Greek Parliament resumes its activities at full pace following the summer recess.

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Energy cooperatives draft bill expected next month

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Legal framework to permit the establishment of energy cooperatives, a move essentially offering energy consumers the right to become shareholders in ventures, is being swiftly prepared by the energy ministry, working closely with RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, LAGIE, the Electricity Market Operator, HEDNO, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator, and KAPE, the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving.

A range of officials dealing with economic, technical, scientific and other aspects are contributing to the preparations. The draft bill is expected to be ready for Parliament next month.

Besides launch and operating regulations concerning energy cooperatives, the draft bill in the making is also expected to encourage the participation of local communities. According to energypress sources, it will enable two types of energy cooperatives, local energy communities and renewable energy communities.

Local energy communities will be able to develop and lease distribution networks, while renewable energy communities will be able to produce, consume, store and sell renewable energy without being subject to disproportionate charges that do not reflect actual costs.

The government intends to incorporate its energy cooperatives initiative into its social policy by promoting the option as a form of protection for small investors against bigger players.

Market officials believe the energy cooperatives could reignite investment activity in the RES sector and also offer support to market tools such as net metering, virtual net metering and smart power meters.

Energy cooperatives already exist in a number of European countries, including Germany, Belgium and Denmark.

 

Ministry preparing to deliver energy cooperatives draft bill

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The energy ministry is preparing legal framework that will permit the establishment of energy cooperatives, enabling the operation of wind farms, bioenergy and photovoltaic farms for energy production with local and regional scope.

The ministry intends to soon deliver to Parliament a draft bill whose content will include start-up and operating regulations for energy cooperatives.

“The development of this democratic form of energy planning will also serve to change the country’s energy mix, as energy projects of mild environmental impact, such as renewable energy facilities, constantly gaining ground, are expected to be promoted on a local scale,” noted energy minister Giorgos Stathakis.

Internationally recognized energy cooperative practices have already been studied and assessed at the ministry, which will use its conclusions, along with EU directives, to shape a draft bill appropriate for local conditions.

A number of European countries, including Germany, Belgium and Denmark, have already acknowledged the usefulness and significance of local energy cooperatives.

The Greek version being promoted by the energy ministry will not restrict consumers to the role of client but also enable entrepreneurial participation in cooperatives.

Consumers will have a say in cooperative matters and their energy needs, while profit objectives will not necessarily serve as the main driving force behind these energy cooperatives.

Ultimately, energy costs are expected to be lowered through the utilization of various energy market tools, including net metering, virtual net metering and smart meters.