energy mix

DESFA chief: Decarbonization, natural gas inextricably linked

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Natural gas can contribute significantly to the decarbonization effort in a number of sectors, besides electricity generation, Greek gas grid operator DESFA’s CEO Maria Rita Galli has stressed in comments offered on the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum.

Expanding natural gas usage into activities such as heavy transport and shipping, a practice already adopted in other European countries, can greatly contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, she stressed.

Thoughts of reducing the role of natural gas in the next National Energy and Climate Plan, a prospect being rumored, require further examination and consideration, as has also been suggested by energy minister Theodoros Skylakakis, the DESFA chief executive noted.

A swifter withdrawal of natural gas from Greece’s energy mix, a concern for DESFA’s natural gas and hydrogen investment plans in the years to come, would require a quadrupled or fivefold tariff increase as the operator will need to recover the cost of investments made over a shorter period of time, amid conditions of progressively decreasing gas quantities, Maria Rita Galli explained.

DESFA’s administration acknowledges that hydrogen is not yet a mature technology but has underlined the country’s strategic planning must be based on long-term vision rather than current and short-term conditions.

RES energy mix share at 56%, zero-level prices for 3 hours

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The wholesale electricity price average for today has fallen by nearly 30 percent, down to 47.5 euros per MWh from yesterday’s average of 67.5 euros per MWh.

Today’s wholesale electricity price maximum price will reach 81 euros per MWh, while the minimum price level will fall to zero, over three midday hours. Also, a price level of just 1 euro per MWh will apply for one hour.

Overall electricity demand for the day is close to 150 GWh. Renewables will cover a 53.7 percent share of the energy mix, followed by natural gas, covering 30 percent, electricity imports, providing 10.1 percent of today’s domestic electricity needs, hydropower, at 3.2 percent, and lignite at 0.2 percent.

Mytilineos overtakes PPC as leading high-voltage supplier

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The Mytilineos group’s Protergia energy supply company has overtaken power utility PPC in the high-voltage category to become the new market leader, in this category, latest data issued by power grid operator IPTO covering January has shown.

Overall, for all categories combined, PPC shed nearly 3 percentage points in January, ending the month with a market share of 52.84 percent, down from 55.62 percent in December.

Protergia gained ground in all categories combined to capture second place in January with a market share of 14.65 percent, up from 9.19 percent in December. This rise has been mainly attributed to Mytilineos group member Aluminium of Greece’s switch from PPC to Protergia.

Heron was ranked third in all categories combined with a market share of 10.64 percent in January, down slightly from 10.76 percent in December.

In the medium-voltage category, PPC’s market share contracted to 34.7 percent in January from 36 percent in December, while Protergia and Heron both achieved gains. Heron’s market share in this category rose from 16.8 percent to 17.4 percent, while Protergia’s market share increased from 16 percent to 17.1 percent.

As for the low-voltage category, PPC shed just a mild fraction of its still-dominant market share, while Protergia was the big gainer, leaping nearly 1.5 percent, from 7.7 percent to 9.1 percent.

Overall electricity demand in Greece rose by 6.62 percent in January, 2024 compared to a year earlier, the IPTO data showed.

Also, renewable energy captured a 50.6 percent share of the country’s energy mix in January, followed by gas-fueled production, providing 41 percent of the month’s total, and hydropower, at 8.4 percent, the data showed.

 

Wholesale power price drop recorded on Christmas Day

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The combination of increased electricity imports, high RES production and reduced energy demand resulted in a reduction of wholesale electricity prices on Christmas Day, including a near-zero-level market clearing price.

On Christmas Day, the market-clearing price dropped to as low as 0.04 cents per MWh, while the day’s average price was 98.09 euros per MWh.

Electricity imports comprised 34.72 percent of the country’s energy mix on Christmas Day, followed by renewables (32.14%), natural gas-fueled production (21.66%), hydropower (8.27%), and lignite-fired generation (0.27%).

Market conditions were similar on Boxing Day, the average market-clearing price dropping 10.94 percent to 87.37 euros per MWh. The day’s market-clearing price low was 2 euros per MWh, while the maximum price reached 135.28 euros per MWh.

As was the case on Christmas Day, electricity imports also dominated the energy mix on Boxing Day with a 33.91 percent share, followed by renewables (32.66%), natural gas-fueled production (21.98%), hydropower (8.02%), and lignite-fired generation (0.26%).

As for today, the average market-clearing price is forecast to rise mildly, by 3.8 percent, to 90.69 euros per MWh, as a result of greater energy-mix contributions by natural gas and lignite and a drop in RES input, while the day’s lows and highs are expected to reach 35 euros per MWh and 137.39 euros per MWh, respectively.

Once again, electricity imports are planned to dominate the energy mix today with a 31.45 percent share, followed by natural gas-fueled production (28.55%), renewables (24.99%) hydropower (7.74%), and lignite-fired generation (3.97%).

It is also worth pointing out that, over the past seven-day period, the market-clearing price has remained below the 100 euro per MWh barrier for five days, exceeding this level on just two days.

 

Natural gas seen remaining key power price-setter in 2030

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Natural gas will continue being a key price setter of the system marginal price, or wholesale electricity price, in Europe in 2030, with a degree of influence similar to that of the present, despite the deepening penetration of renewables in the continent’s energy mix, a latest study by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center has projected.

Natural gas-fueled power plants will continue being an influential price-setting technology for wholesale electricity prices in 2030, despite covering only 11 percent of the generation mix, the study determined. Last year, natural gas-fueled power plants, covering 19 percent of total EU electricity demand, set system marginal price levels 55 percent of the time.

Greece is a prime example of the anticipated trend as, in 2030, natural gas is projected to be the price-setting technology for the system marginal price more than 80 percent of the time.

Natural gas will continue playing a leading role as a price-setting technology in Europe in 2030 as natural gas-fueled power stations are seen replacing higher-emitting lignite and coal-fired power stations, the study noted.

Renewables are projected to keep gaining a bigger share of Europe’s generation mix, from 46 percent at present to 67 percent by the end of the decade, the study projected.

Also, increasing cross-border grid interconnectivity in the EU will lead to lower wholesale prices and price convergence within the European market, the study pointed out.

RES penetration to be aided by 15-minute trading products

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The introduction of 15-minute continuous trading products in the day-ahead market, preparations for which are in full swing, according to energypress sources, would reduce balancing costs and also offer better terms for the renewable sector’s penetration of the energy mix.

However, the transition to 15-minute continuous trading products in the day-ahead market, planned to take place simultaneously across Europe in 2025, promises to be a demanding task for all parties involved.

The Greek Energy Exchange, as a key player in the domestic implementation of the project, has already begun relevant preparations to adapt and improve all its systems in order to be able to support related transactions.

Power grid operator IPTO will need to take similar action for its infrastructure, and at grid interconnections, to ensure transactions flow smoothly amid conditions in which 15-minute products will play dominant roles in the day-ahead and intraday markets.

Indeed, Greece’s unique position with both coupled (Bulgaria, Italy) and non-coupled (Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey) neighboring electricity markets presents a challenge that requires special provisions.

Special attention will be needed so that 15-minute continuous trading products can also apply for non-coupled markets, otherwise the Greek market will be obliged to maintain 60-minute products, as is the case at present, in order to trade electricity in the day-ahead market with non-coupled markets.

 

 

 

Lignite, not natural gas, now shaping wholesale electricity prices

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Lignite’s presence in the daily energy mix is the decisive factor increasing wholesale electricity prices more than any other energy source, energy exchange data has shown.

Wholesale electricity prices were significantly higher in recent times, up until September 1, as a result of lignite’s entry into the energy mix on a daily basis for several hours per day.

On September 1, for example, despite representing just 0.8 percent of the energy mix, lignite had a disproportionately big effect on wholesale prices.

Prior to September 1, the period of lignite use, wholesale prices reached levels of between 350 and 384 euros per MWh during the 8-9pm peak hour and averaged approximately 130 to 160 euros per MWh per day.

The highest average price during this period of lignite usage was 164 euros per MWh, on August 24, when lignite represented 3.3 percent of the energy mix.

Wholesale electricity prices have been significantly lower since September 2, as lignite has not been a part of the energy mix.

Since September 2, daily peak prices have ranged from 135 to 183 euros per MWh, less than half the peak prices recorded in the lead up. Daily average prices have also been a lot lower since September 2, ranging between 82 and 106 euros per MWh.

Lignite has become the main factor shaping wholesale electricity prices since last spring, when natural gas prices fell to less than 50 euros per MWh and ceased being the price shaper.

 

Greece among EU’s top 5 RES producers in first half of 2023

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Greece was among the EU’s top five renewable energy producers in the first half of 2023, while Europe’s solar energy market has experienced a period of significant growth in recent years, a recent study from the energy think-tank Ember has shown.

A total of 17 EU member states achieved record RES energy-mix shares in the first half of 2023, according to the study. RES output in Greece and Romania represented more than 50 percent of the overall energy production levels for both countries, unprecedented for both, the study highlighted.

Also, Denmark and Portugal achieved a significant milestone, with their renewable energy output surpassing the 75 percent mark for the first time, the Ember study revealed.

In another first, wind and solar energy output exceeded 30 percent of the EU’s overall energy production in May and June, according to the study.

As for newly installed RES capacity during the first half of 2023, compared to the equivalent period a year earlier, the Ember study showed an acceleration in RES penetration, particularly notable in the PV sector.

Following 2022’s record performance for PV installations in the EU, which totaled 33 GW, the momentum continued through the first half of 2023. Germany was the EU’s best performer, installing 6.5 GW in PV capacity during the first six months this year, a 10 percent increase. Poland followed with 2 GW, a 17 percent increase, and Belgium ranked third with 1.2 GW, a 19 percent increase.

Wholesale power highest in Europe at €154.63/MWh

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Greece’s wholesale electricity prices have risen sharply today, up 34.68 percent to an average of 154.63 euros per MWh from yesterday’s level of 114.81 euros per MWh, making them Europe’s highest.

The minimum price in Greece today will fall to an average of 96 euros per MWh, while the highest will peak at 377.18 euros per MWh.

Romania has registered Europe’s second-highest wholesale electricity price today, at 150.69 euros per MWh, followed by Bulgaria, at 150.13 euros per MWh.

Meanwhile, major European markets have registered significantly lower wholesale electricity prices today. Italy’s average wholesale price today is at 120.36 euros per MWh and Germany’s is 118.67 euros per MWh.

Norway has registered Europe’s lowest wholesale electricity price today, averaging 40.21 euros per MWh, followed by Turkey, at 82 euros per MWh, Sweden, at 87.6 euros per MWh, and Spain and Portugal, both registering an average of 89.66 euros per MWh.

As for Greece’s energy mix, natural gas-fueled power stations will cover 42.26 percent of the country’s energy needs today, followed by renewables, at 21.56 percent, electricity imports, at 20.26 percent, hydropower, at 7.91 percent, and lignite-fired power stations, at 2.62 percent.

The country’s electricity demand today is projected to reach 161.213 GWh, peaking at 7,946 MW at 12.30 pm.

 

PPC plans 5 pumped-storage stations, to offer 1,407 MW

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Power utility PPC plans to develop five pumped-storage hydropower stations promising a total capacity of 1,407 MW, while a tender to offer a development contract for the first of these projects is expected to be staged within 2024.

The five projects, expected to require investments of more than one billion euros, will significantly boost PPC’s existing portfolio of pumped-storage hydropower stations, currently offering a total capacity of 696 MW.

Terna Energy’s development of a 680-MW pumped-storage hydropower station in Amfilohia, northwestern Greece, now in progress, will add to the country’s overall PSH capacity.

The first of PPC’s five prospective pumped-storage hydropower stations, a 148-MW unit, is planned to be developed at the Kardia lignite station, just south of Thessaloniki.

Among the five projects, it is worth noting that the Kardia project’s licensing procedure has progressed to the most advanced stage – an environmental permit has been obtained – and, subsequently, will be the first to be developed.

As for PPC’s four other pumped-storage hydropower stations, the company just submitted energy storage license applications to a June licensing cycle.

Two of PPC’s four projects, each with capacities of 460 MW, are planned to be developed at Lake Vegoritida and Sfikia, both in Greece’s north. The new Sfikia project will come as an addition to PPC’s existing pumped-storage hydropower station in the same area.

The other two PPC projects are planned to be developed at former lignite mines, one in Megalopolis, central Peloponnese, the other at Mavropigi, close to Ptolemaida, in the country’s north.

The overall capacity of the country’s pumped-storage hydropower stations will need to rise to 2,500 MW if the updated National Energy and Climate Plan’s RES target, aiming for 80 percent of the energy mix by 2030, is to be achieved.

 

 

Electricity demand falls for 11th consecutive month, IPTO reports

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Electricity demand in Greece fell for an eleventh consecutive month in May, while RES and hydropower plants dominated the energy mix, capturing a record 64.66 percent share, a latest monthly report released by power grid operator IPTO has shown.

Electricity demand fell by 7.01 percent last month compared to May, 2022, according to the latest IPTO data.

High-voltage consumers recorded the biggest drop last month, reducing their electricity usage by 7.2 percent, while households and businesses reduced their usage by 6.9 percent, the IPTO data showed. Electricity demand last month totaled 3,610 GWh, the operator noted.

The energy crisis’ significant price increases and energy sufficiency concerns have brought about a drastic change in consumer behavior regarding energy usage, both by households and businesses.

This more apprehensive approach towards energy consumption has prevailed among consumers since last July.

Favorable weather conditions, including generally mild weather before, during and after last winter, have also contributed to the downward trajectory in electricity demand.

 

DESFA assessing action needed for hydrogen-ready network

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Gas grid operator DESFA is conducting a technical study examining interventions that will be needed to the country’s grid so that it may facilitate hydrogen’s entry into the energy mix. The operator aims to have completed and submitted this study to RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, by the end of the year, energypress sources informed.

The operator’s study is planned to include the cost of all actions needed for a hydrogen-ready grid, a substantiated proposal specifying an optimal hydrogen proportion for the country’s gas network, as well as feasibility studies on the connection, to the network, of individual hydrogen-related pilot projects.

These studies, DESFA anticipates, will also get authorities working on a hydrogen-related regulatory framework, currently non-existent.

A committee established to prepare a national strategy for hydrogen completed its task and delivered its findings to the energy ministry in 2021.

However, revisions made to the National Energy and Climate Plan, resulting in more ambitious targets, may prompt the energy ministry to seek an updated national strategy on hydrogen.

DESFA has already prepared a study assessing the degree of hydrogen mixing with natural gas over two stages, as proportions of 5 and 10 percent, and what these proportions would entail in terms of investments needed, Panagiotis Panousos, Energy Transition Manager at DESFA, told the recent RENPOWER conference.

 

Wholesale power price weekly average drops to 84-week low

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The country’s wholesale electricity price weekly average dropped considerably last week to a level just over the psychological barrier of 100 euros per MWh, at 106.49 euros per MWh, an 84-week low, reflecting a downward trajectory in electricity demand.

Last week’s market clearing price fell by 17.13 percent compared to a week earlier, peaking at 186.55 euros per MWh and registering a low of 7.71 euros per MWh. Last week’s highest market clearing price average, for a day, was registered on Sunday, April 2, reaching 127.50 euros per MWh.

Electricity prices in Europe last week ranged between 54 and 133 euros per MWh, while prices yesterday swung from 62 to 142 euros per MWh.

Warmer weather last week led to a reduction in electricity demand, which, along with elevated RES output, pushed prices lower.

In Greece, weekly electricity demand fell last week but remained slightly above a level of 0.8 TWh, at 813 GWh. The energy exchange recorded total electricity demand for the week at 899 GWh, a figure taking into account export outflow of 86 GWh.

RES units averaged a daily output of 58 GWh last week for a higher share of the energy mix, which reached a weekly average of 52 percent. RES units produced a total of 405 GWh last week, a 55 percent increase compared to a week earlier.

Natural gas-fueled electricity’s share of the energy mix last week was 20 percent, net imports followed at 15 percent, lignite-fired generation represented 11 percent and major-scale hydropower units represented 2 percent.

Low-voltage electricity demand, including households, represented 54 percent of overall demand in Greece last week. Medium-voltage demand represented 19 percent of demand and high-voltage demand represented 18 percent. Demand concerning the Cretan grid represented 6 percent and grid losses reached 3 percent.

Power demand continues fall in January, RES dominate output

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Electricity demand plunged by 13.24 percent in January, compared to the same month a year earlier, registering a drop for a seventh successive month, a monthly report published by power grid operator IPTO has shown.

Households, businesses and industrial producers have cut back on power usage in an effort to contain their energy costs.

January’s contraction in electricity demand ranks as the second-biggest recorded during the seven successive months of decline and is one of the biggest reductions ever recorded in Greece.

Households registered the biggest cut in electricity usage in January, down 15 percent compared to January, 2022, while heavy industry also cut back on consumption, by 7.8 percent, the January figures showed.

Overall electricity demand fell to 4,235 GWh in January from 4,881 GWh in January, 2022, the IPTO data showed.

Subsequently, the drop in electricity demand prompted a generation reduction of 25.75 percent in January, compared to the same month a year earlier, according to the IPTO data.

Renewables and hydropower dominated the country’s energy mix in January, capturing a 53.6 percent share. Natural gas and lignite-generated electricity captured a 30.5 percent share.

 

RES generation biggest energy-mix contributor for first time ever in 2022

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Renewable energy was ranked the country’s biggest electricity producer for the first time ever in 2022, capturing a 41.6 percent share of the energy mix for output totaling 19.7 TWh, data provided by power grid operator IPTO has shown.

Natural gas-fueled generation, previously the country’s biggest producer, was ranked second in 2022 with a 38 percent share of Greece’s energy mix and output of 17.9 TWh. It was followed by lignite, once the country’s leading source of electricity production until it was overtaken by natural gas, with an 11.8 percent share and 5.6 TWh. Hydropower ranked fourth in terms of output in 2022, capturing an 8.5 percent share with output totaling 4 TWh.

Combining the energy-mix shares captured by the RES sector and hydropower adds up to 50.1 percent, meaning these two energy source categories edged past fossil fuels as Greece’s main producer of electricity.

Last year, natural gas-fueled generation fell by just over 4 percent compared to 2021, dropping from a leading energy-mix share of 42.8 percent.

All EU member states have set objectives, on a voluntary basis, to reduce natural gas consumption by 15 percent this winter.

In 2021, the RES sector was ranked second in terms of electricity generation in Greece with a 35.3 percent share of the energy mix followed by lignite, whose share hardly changed. Compared to 2022, hydropower output was slightly higher in 2021, when it had captured a share of approximately 11 percent.

 

PPC retail electricity market share at 63.3% in December

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Power utility PPC’s captured a retail electricity market share of 63.29 percent in December, followed by the Mytilineos group’s Protergia, at 7.6 percent, Heron, at 7.03 percent, and Elpedison, at 6.09 percent, a latest report published by the Hellenic Energy Exchange has shown.

Day-ahead market prices in December rose 22 percent, averaging 276 euros per MWh compared to 227 euros per MWh in November, while electricity demand increased to 4,488 GWh from 4,109 GWh, the Energy Exchange data showed.

As for December’s energy mix, natural gas-fueled electricity captured the greatest share, 37 percent, followed by renewables, at 24 percent, electricity imports, at 19 percent, lignite-fired generation, at 15 percent, and hydropower, at 3 percent.

RES overproduction prompts near-zero price levels for 3 hrs

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Renewable energy production has reached extremely high levels today, nearing an all-time high, for a 58 percent share of the energy mix, if RES units on Crete are taken into account, and a share of over 60 percent should hydropower stations be included in the calculations, day-ahead market figures have shown.

RES output will reach levels ranging between 3,290 MW and 5,370 MW, depending on the time of day, producing a total of 76,000 GWh, according to data provided by power grid operator IPTO.

Price levels dropped close to zero for three hours last night, between 3 am and 5 am, and will drop to 9.7 euros for an hour at midday.

It is worth noting conventional power stations continued operating during the nighttime hours of near-zero price levels. More specifically, natural gas-fueled power stations produced 127 MW and lignite-fired units generated 420 MW, for reasons concerning grid stability and exports.

It was a similar situation on October 7, when RES facilities fully covered the country’s energy needs for a five-hour period. On that day, IPTO, the power grid operator, explained a small proportion of conventionally generated electricity would be maintained to ensure grid stability and cover for any RES output fluctuations.

 

December gas energy-mix share up to 43%, RES input falls

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Natural gas usage for electricity generation increased in December to represent 43 percent of the energy mix, up from 37 percent in November.

At 43 percent, natural gas-fueled electricity captured the biggest share of the energy mix in December, followed by renewable energy sources – wind, solar and biomass – at 26 percent, lignite, at 17 percent, net electricity imports, at 10 percent, and major-scale hydropower plants, at 4 percent.

Combing the RES and hydropower contributions, the renewable energy sector’s share of the energy mix in December essentially reached 30 percent.

Natural gas-fueled generation and RES generation reached 1,645,055 MWh and 1,012,485 MWh, respectively, in December, while lignite-fired output for the month totaled 656,157 MWh.

In 2022, overall, natural gas’ share of the energy mix increased by one percent, while the RES sector’s share shrunk by 8 percent.

Energy demand increased in December, reaching 4,013,598 MWh, following four successive months of decline.

December wholesale prices second-highest in EU

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Wholesale electricity prices in Greece ranked as the EU’s second-highest in December, reaching 276.89 euros per MWh in the day-ahead market, up considerably, both on a monthly and annual basis, while electricity demand fell, a Hellenic Energy Exchange report has shown.

This December’s wholesale price level was 21.5 percent over the November price, and 18 percent above the level recorded in December, 2021.

Greece ranked second behind the common Italian and Maltese energy market, whose December price level was 294.91 euros per MWh.

Greece’s DAM prices remained high last month as a result of the country’s usage of a month-ahead model incorporating the TTF gas index. December’s electricity prices in Greece were shaped by the end-of-November price level of the TTF gas index, which ended the month at 118.68 euros per MWh.

By contrast, most other European wholesale electricity markets benefited from a drop in gas spot prices. They fell significantly in the last ten days of December to levels of 75 euros per MWh.

Limited renewable energy contributions to the country’s energy mix, down to 23 percent in December, compared to 33 percent in November, were another factor. This decline was attributed to lower wind energy output in Greece last month. On the contrary, wind energy output in central and northern Europe increased significantly during the final days of December.

Reduced trading at the day-ahead market in December, down 19 percent on December, 2021, signaled a further reduction in electricity demand last month, the Hellenic Energy Exchange report noted.

Big 2030 RES, energy storage target boosts for revised NECP

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The energy ministry is preparing to set even more ambitious renewable energy and storage targets for 2030 through the country’s National Energy and Climate Plan, currently being revised as part of national and EU plans aiming to diminish reliance on fossil fuels, especially Russian natural gas.

The energy ministry is expected to set a total RES capacity target of between 25 and 30 GW for 2030, an objective that could be achieved with new wind and solar energy installations, as well as development of hydropower stations.

At present, RES facilities already operating in Greece offer a total capacity of 10 GW, meaning renewable energy projects producing an additional overall capacity of up to 20 GW will need to be developed over the next eight years if the energy ministry’s anticipated RES target boost in the revised NECP for 2030 is to be achieved.

Greece’s revised NECP will also include a major energy storage capacity boost to between 5 and 8 GW by 2030, well above the present target of 1.5 GW, through a portfolio comprising batteries and pumped storage stations.

Also, the 2030 target for the RES sector’s share of the country’s energy mix is expected to be increased to 80 percent from the current NECP target of 65 percent.

No need for lignite schedule revisions, officials determine

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The country’s decarbonization plan, not responsible for the sharp rise in electricity prices, does not require any revisions, lignite continuing to contribute to the energy mix in accordance with the grid’s needs, government officials have determined following a weekend meeting during which the country’s energy mix was examined.

Lignite has played a bigger role in the country’s energy mix over the past few days, covering more than 20 percent of electricity generation needs, up from 10.5 percent in January.

According to data provided by power grid operator IPTO, six of power utility PPC’s lignite-fired power stations will operate today. Agios Dimitrios I, II, IV and V, Megalopoli IV and Meliti will all contribute to the grid, according to IPTO.

Officials participating at the weekend meeting also examined the progress of the country’s hydrocarbons sectors. EU member states are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on Russian gas.

Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) recently conducted seismic surveys at its ‘Ionio’ license, an Ionian Sea block southwest of Corfu. EDEY, the Greek Hydrocarbon Management Company, is now awaiting the investor’s next steps.

Wholesale electricity €83/MWh higher without RES output

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Wholesale electricity prices would have reached as much as 83 euros per MWh higher than the lofty levels of recent months had there not been any RES contribution to the country’s energy mix, a study conducted by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has shown.

Energy minister Kostas Skrekas made reference to the findings of this study during a recent informal meeting of EU energy ministers in France, to highlight the important role played by RES units in energy price de-escalation.

December’s wholesale electricity price average in Greece would have reached levels of 315 euros per MWh, well over the actual average of 235 euros per MWh, the minister noted, basing his point on the university study’s findings.

An intraday market record high of 415.94 euros registered on December 22 would have reached 451.11 euros per MWh without RES contributions to the country’s energy mix, the study noted.

Operator releases supplier energy-mix list for 2020

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RES market operator DAPEEP has published a list of the energy mixes of energy suppliers for 2020, showing which companies are pursuing the most eco-friendly policies.

The operator, in publishing the list, noted that electricity suppliers are obligated to supply consumers with information on their energy sources for the previous year, in clear and comparable fashion, as well as information on the environmental impact of their choices, or CO2 emission levels concerning electricity generation they market.

 

Government working to promote major-scale RES projects

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The government is working on upgrading the country’s legal framework for the RES sector in an effort to promote the development of major-scale projects, not just smaller wind and solar energy farms.

The need for a national RES strategy revision has been intensified by the prospect of major pandemic-induced damage to the tourism industry, the backbone of the Greek economy.

Big RES projects promise to attract foreign funds managing portfolios worth billions. An influx by such funds promises to create jobs, generate economic growth and help Greece reach its ambitious RES objectives set for 2030.

The government took an important first step yesterday by ratifying legislation to simplify the RES licensing procedure. But this is not enough. Ensuing steps in the overall procedure for RES investments also need to be simplified.

“We have begun and are working on proposals to simplify procedures for the next stages all the way to the installation permit. We are also moving forward with other issues to accelerate the RES sector’s penetration of the energy mix,” deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas recently told parliament.

NECP being revised for more ambitious RES targets

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Deeper penetration of renewable energy sources into the country’s energy mix is figuring as a key policy for Greece’s newly appointed environment and energy ministry.

The ministry is working to revise the National Energy and Climate Plan following recent observations by the European Commission, which described the country’s RES targets as not ambitious enough, energypress sources informed.

Officials are currently moving to assemble a work group by October so that an updated plan, detailing Greece’s post-lignite era targets, can be completed by the end of this year.

Greater RES participation in the country’s energy mix will be facilitated by a swifter withdrawal of old lignite-fired power stations operated by the power utility PPC, officials have stressed.

The energy ministry has commenced talks with the European Commission for an acceleration of the transition period entailing the closure of old power stations.

PPC’s newly appointed administration has begun conducting a cost-benefit analysis on lignite-fired power stations before deciding which units will be withdrawn.

The imminent privatization of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, expected to bring in investments leading to an upgrade of the electricity grid, will also be pivotal in accelerating the RES sector’s penetration of the energy mix, the officials added.

The network infrastructure’s current state is one of the main obstacles stopping producers from investing, they added.

DESFA presents more ambitious 10-year development plan worth €2.5bn

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Gas grid operator DESFA has presented a significantly upgraded ten-year development plan covering 2020 to 2029 for public consultation that includes investments worth 2.5 billion euros.

It highlights the heightened role planned for natural gas in Greece’s energy mix as well as a need for an upgrade of the country’s gas infrastructure.

The public consultation procedure will run until September 2, the operator informed in a statement. Results will be published following this date, it added.

A series of projects, currently in progress or at the planning stage, promise to create new prospects for the natural gas market and significantly boost this energy source’s penetration of household and industrial markets.

Projects listed in DESFA’s ten-year plan include connections with gas utility DEPA’s CNG stations in Komotini and Tripoli; Kavala Oil and Elval industry connections to the national gas grid; and development of pipelines for gas supply to the Dodecanese and North Aegean islands.

RES energy mix targets likely; bureaucracy, networks an issue

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Greece will most likely reach a RES energy mix target set for 2020, but problems subduing investment activity in the renewable energy sector, bureaucracy and insufficient network investments being two key concerns, remain, the European Court of Auditors has observed in a special report focused on renewables and electricity generation.

Greece, along with Latvia and Austria, will most probably meet their 2020 target if they continue to implement measures targeting renewables at the current pace, the report noted, adding all three EU member states currently require increases of less than 2 percentage points.

Inspections were conducted in Greece, Germany, Poland and Spain for the report, titled “Wind and solar power for electricity generation: significant action needed if EU targets to be met.”

Specific national targets for the share of gross final energy consumption coming from renewables have been set, ranging from 10 percent to 49 percent.

Greece’s RES target for 2020 is 39.8 percent. Spain has a target of 39 percent, Germany is aiming for 38.6 percent and Poland’s figure is 19.1 percent.

Germany and Spain maintained high rates of progress between 2010 and 2017, while Greece is behind schedule. In 2017, the country was 7 percentage points off target, the report noted.

 

DG Energy expresses concerns over more ambitious RES target

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Despite agreeing to an even more ambitious RES energy mix target of 32 percent, compared to the European Commission’s 30 percent, by 2030 at an EU energy ministers meeting in Luxembourg three months ago, Greece’s energy minister Giorgos Stathakis has yet to specify on policies that will need to be adopted.

EU member states need to submit their plans by the end of December and concerns in Brussels are growing.

Just days ago, at a meeting between national representatives and Directorate-General for Energy officials, a number of EU member countries, including Greece, were told that they have yet to set clear plans on policies needed for the more ambitious RES target. National representatives were asked to apply greater pressure on their governments.

The Greek energy ministry’s secretary general Mihalis Veriopoulos has, for quite some time now, assembled a special committee to focus on the issue but has not followed up with a public consultation procedure with industry figures as has been expected.

Natural gas takes lead in energy mix, demand up 21.6%

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Demand for natural gas demand grew by more than 20 percent in 2017, primarily driven by the electricity generation sector, which absorbed 18.6 percent more natural gas during the year to capture a 66.8 percent share of overall demand for natural gas in Greece.

The total amount of natural gas transmitted through the country’s distribution system reached 4.64 billion Nm3 in 2017, up from 3.84 billion Nm3 in 2016, a 21.06 percent increase. In energy terms, 53.57 billion kWh was distributed last year compared to 44.42 billion kWh in 2016, a 20.6 percent increase.

Small-scale industry, households and enterprises captured 19.5 percent of overall natural gas demand following a distribution increase of 10.5 percent.

Large-scale industry also experienced an impressive consumption increase of 64.9 percent, which took its share of overall natural gas demand to 13.7 percent.

Part of the overall increase has been attributed to the particularly heavy winter experienced around Greece in 2016-2017, which led to an increase in demand for natural gas-fueled electricity generation as well as natural gas through the pipelines for heating purposes.

The share of natural gas used for electricity generation increased to 31.5 percent in 2017 from 26.6 percent a year earlier. Total electricity production grew to 52.04 TWh in 2017 from 51.24 TWh in 2016, a 1.56 percent increase.

Increased natural gas consumption in the industrial sector, which became apparent during the final months of 2016, remained consistently higher throughout 2017.