gas-fueled electricity

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.

 

Levy on gas used for power production to end January 1

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The energy ministry has decided to terminate, as of January 1, a special levy imposed on natural gas used for electricity production, energypress sources have informed.

The special levy has been applied by the energy ministry as a tool to limit domestic gas consumption and, as a result, help subdue gas prices. Up until recently, the ministry was considering to extend the levy for a brief period into 2024.

The energy committee at SEV, the Hellenic Association of Industrialists, had pushed for this special levy to be terminated during a recent meeting with the energy ministry’s leadership in late October.

At the time, the ministry officials refused to offer any specific withdrawal date for the levy, noting the matter would be examined with the course of international gas prices in mind. The ministry officials indicated the levy would be maintained if international gas prices remained at levels of the time, or increased.

However, international gas prices have since fallen. Last week, the TTF index fell to 38 euros per MWh, a level not recorded since early 2022, prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the attack’s impact on energy markets.

This price de-escalation in international markets should eliminate any risk of a demand-driven natural gas price increase in Greece, officials believe.

The special levy’s formula was revised in May to 5 percent of the TTF, replacing a previous flat rate of 10 euros per MWh that had been introduced in November, 2022.

Levy on gas for power output to be terminated at end of year

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The energy ministry plans to terminate an extraordinary levy that was imposed on natural gas used for electricity generation at the beginning of 2024, along with the termination of other measures implemented in the wholesale and electricity markets during the energy crisis.

A joint ministerial decision issued last spring for subsidy distribution of amounts collected through the extraordinary levy is also set to expire on December 31, 2023.

The joint ministerial decision, which had been signed by then-energy minister Kostas Skrekas and former deputy finance minister Theodoros Skylakakis, now in charge of the country’s energy portfolio, facilitated the collection of funds through the levy on gas used for electricity production in order to contribute to electricity-bill subsidies offered through the Energy Transition Fund.

The formula of the levy on gas used for electricity production, introduced in November, 2022, was revised in May this year and set at 5 percent of the TTF index, replacing a previous fixed charge of 10 euro per MWh.

Though this revision did reduce the cost of the levy imposed on gas used for electricity production, it has continued distorting the domestic wholesale market, market officials have contended.

As a result, the levy has undermined the competitiveness of domestic gas-fueled power plants compared to counterpart units in neighboring countries, thus limiting their operating hours.

The TTF index, a key benchmark for natural gas prices in the European market, ended August at an average of 34.83 euros per MWh for contracts requiring delivery in September.

 

Wholesale electricity price falls sharply over the weekend

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The price of wholesale electricity plunged over the weekend, driven lower by an increase in RES output.

Yesterday, wholesale electricity fell to an average price of 53.30 euros per MWh, while, for a five-hour period between approximately 10 am and 3 pm, the price level reached zero, according to energy exchange data. The day’s maximum price level peaked at 120 euros per MWh.

Yesterday’s price level fell by 10.63 percent compared to Saturday’s 59.65 euros per MWh, which, in turn, was 25.30 percent below Friday’s level of 79.85 euros per MWh.

Today’s average wholesale electricity price is 95.18 euros per MWh, with the day’s peak at 153 euros per MWh and the minimum at 59 euros per MWh. Demand for the day is at 160 GWh.

The RES sector is programmed to be today’s biggest contributor with a 47.4 percent share of the energy mix, followed by gas-fueled production, at 22.7 percent, electricity imports at 12.4 percent, hydropower at 7.4 percent, and lignite-fired output, representing 6 percent.

 

Electricity demand drops for 13th successive month in June

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Overall electricity demand in Greece fell for a thirteenth successive month in June, dropping 10.6 percent, compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, a latest monthly report published by power grid operator IPTO has shown.

Electricity demand fell by 8.84 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the equivalent period last year, the IPTO report showed.

The latest data highlights the savings-minded behavioral changes of small and large-scale consumers following the outbreak of the energy crisis.

Electricity demand in June totaled 3,866 GWh, down from 4,312 GWh in June, 2022.

Subsequently, electricity production was cut back, dropping by 15.1 percent to 3,541 GWh last month, according to the IPTO report.

RES and hydropower generation dominated the country’s energy mix last month, capturing a combined 54.37 percent share.

More specifically, the RES sector’s share was 43.89 percent and hydropower’s contribution represented 10.48 percent.

Gas-fueled power stations captured a 45.63 percent share of the energy mix in June.

Wholesale electricity prices drop to 103-week low

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The country’s wholesale electricity prices, down to pre-energy crisis levels in recent weeks, have further de-escalated to a 103-week low, an important development given the fact that extraordinary measures adopted to combat the extreme situation are set to expire in October.

According to latest official data, the average market clearing price fell to 85.12 euros per MWh over the past seven days, down 1.24 percent compared to a week earlier. Over the past week, the market clearing price peaked at 149.77 euros per MWh and dropped as low as 5.11 euros per MWh.

In other parts of Europe, last week’s average market clearing price ranged from 76 euros per MWh to 96 euros per MWh.

It is worth pointing out that, despite the local price de-escalation, wholesale electricity prices in Greece remain among the highest in southeast Europe.

A 53 percent share of electricity demand last week concerned low-voltage electricity, reaching roughly 447 GWh, 22 percent concerned the medium-voltage category, totaling 181 GWh, and 16 percent concerned high-voltage demand, which reached approximately 137 GWh.

As for the country’s energy mix last week, the RES sector captured a 44 percent share, followed by natural gas (30%), net imports (15%), major-scale hydropower plants (7%), and lignite (4%).

 

 

Electricity prices and demand drop during Easter holiday period

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Electricity prices and demand both fell last week, primarily driven lower by the Greek Easter holiday period.

Last week’s average clearing price dropped by 7.26 percent to 119.81 euros per MWh, the upper and lower clearing price levels reaching 190 euros per MWh and 9.72 euros per MWh, respectively.

Last week’s highest clearing price was recorded on April 13 at 131.90 euros per MWh.

Besides the drop in electricity demand during the Greek Easter holiday period, higher RES contributions, which rose by 40 percent last week, to 353 GWh, also helped lower electricity prices.

The price drop would have been even greater had power grid operator IPTO not reduced electricity imports during midday hours, an initiative taken to protect the grid from overload concerns.

Domestic electricity demand last week fell to less than 0.8 TWh, reaching 771 GWh. The week’s overall electricity demand at the energy exchange totaled 848 GWh.

RES units generated a daily average of 50 GWh last week to represent 48 percent of the energy mix.

Hydropower facilities covered 2 percent of electricity demand last week, generating 16 GWh, a 16 percent drop compared to a week earlier.

Natural gas-fueled power stations produced 245 GWh last week, covering 33 percent of demand, while lignite-fired generation hit a 51-week low at 44 GWh to cover 6 percent of demand.

 

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.

Lignite-fired power generation reestablishing itself as costliest

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The cost of lignite-fired electricity generation has been estimated at 219.34 euros per MWh for April by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, a level that makes it the costliest form of power production for a second month in a row, well over the generation cost level calculated by the authority for combined-cycle, natural gas-fueled power stations, estimated at 153.04 euros per MWh for the month, a difference of 66.3 euros per MWh.

The wholesale electricity market appears set, this month, to further distance itself from the adversity of energy crisis conditions that have made gas-fueled power generation the costliest form in Greece and other parts of Europe as a result of soaring natural gas prices in international markets.

Last month, lignite-fired power production once again found itself at the top of the list as the costliest form of electricity generation, overtaking gas-fueled generation, for the first time since the beginning of the energy crisis.

The cost of lignite-fired power production exceeded that of gas-fueled production by 48.36 euros per MWh last month, above an initial estimate of 30.54 euros per MWh that grew as a result of an energy ministry revision replacing a fixed 10 euro per MWh surcharge on natural gas used for electricity generation with a 5 percent fee of the TTF level.

Lignite-fired generation cost overtakes CCGT in March

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Lignite-fired power station generation price levels have risen above those of combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants for the first time since the introduction of a temporary recovery mechanism, prompting market officials to declare the end of lignite as an energy source that can be relied on for lower-cost energy production.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, set a regulated price of 227.27 euros per MWh for lignite-fired power stations for March, above the price level of 191.73 euros per MWh for CCGTs.

These figures, reflecting the operating costs of the two power-generating technologies, show that lignite-fired plants now cost more to run than gas-fueled power stations.

RAE, in setting its prices, has also taken into account a surcharge of 10 euros per MWh imposed on natural gas intended for electricity generation.

Just months ago, in January, the regulated price for lignite-fired power stations was set at 216.27 euros per MWh, well under that for CCGTs, at 343.64 euros per MWh.

Regulated prices levels for the two power-generating technologies converged in February. They were set at 205.61 euros per MWh for lignite-fired power stations and 210.44 euros per MWh for CCGTs, before a complete overturn in March.

Shipowner renews interest for power station at Skaramangas

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Billionaire shipowner George Prokopiou, the new owner of Hellenic Shipyards at Skaramangas, west of Athens, has rekindled his interest for the development of an LNG-fueled power station at the grounds of the shipyard, Greece’s biggest, energypress sources have informed.

The shipowner held exploratory talks with major Japanese companies active in this domain during his recent visit to Japan, as part of a business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on his official visit to the country, the sources noted.

Legislation ratified last year on property-usage matters concerning Hellenic Shipyards permits additional uses of the shipyard grounds, including installation of facilities for production, storage and transmission of electricity and natural gas.

Hellenic Shipyards are strategically placed at a coastal front close to the LNG terminal on the islet Revythoussa.

The shipyards’ transfer of ownership to Prokopiou is currently being completed. Local authorities have reacted strongly against the prospect of a power station being developed in the Skaramangas area.

Gas prices tumble, lignite close to regaining price-setting role

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Wholesale natural gas prices have fallen by 80 percent since last August’s peak of approximately 350 euros per MWh, to levels of nearly 50 euros per MWh at the TTF index in recent days, a development that has brought the cost of natural gas-fueled power stations just above that of lignite-fired power generation.

Any further drop in the price of natural gas would reestablish lignite-based power generation as the technology determining electricity prices, based on a formula adopted by the EU and the Greek energy exchange.

Increased lignite-fired electricity generation in Europe has, in recent times, pushed up carbon emission right prices (ETS) to nearly 95 euros per ton following a descent to levels of about 75 euros per ton.

Last Friday, lignite-based generation captured a 22 percent share of Greece’s energy mix, much higher than levels recorded in recent times. Over the past 30 days, lignite’s share of the energy mix averaged 15.6 percent, according to the Greek energy exchange.

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.

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.

Decarbonization plan delayed by 2 years, greater lignite focus

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The government has asked power utility PPC to extend its lignite-fired electricity generation by two to three years, as a means of cutting back on the use of natural gas, now a high-cost energy source as a result of Russia’s greatly reduced supply to Europe.

The government request, representing one of several energy-crisis measures it has put forth, will delay the country’s decarbonization plan by at least two years.

Lignite currently represents over 10 percent of the country’s energy mix, double its 5 percent share not too long ago, which resulted in annual production of 2.5 TWH. The government is aiming for a lignite energy mix representation of between 17 and 20 percent, or 9 TWH of electricity production, annually.

Increasing lignite-fired generation by approximately 6 TWH will require a natural gas reduction of 12 TWH, which is double the gas cut requested by the European Commission.

Energy minister Kostas Skrekas believes lignite’s 20 percent energy-mix target can be achieved within the first half of 2023.

 

North Macedonia involvement in key Alexandroupoli projects

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North Macedonia plans to help cover its energy needs through an involvement in two Greek-based projects, the prospective FSRU in Alexandroupoli, northeastern Greece, and, in the same region, a gas-fueled power station to run on LNG stemming from the floating LNG terminal.

Much progress has been made on the neighboring country’s interest in these two projects since a meeting in Athens last September between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his North Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev. The partnership also represents a strategic decision for the Greek government.

It is considered certain that a state-owned North Macedonian company will soon enter the Alexandroupoli FSRU project’s equity pool with a 10 percent stake, energypress sources have informed.

This project’s five current partners – Copelouzos group, Gaslog, Greek gas utility DEPA, Greek gas grid operator DESFA and Bulgartransgaz – are expected to each offer small portions of their respective 20 percent stakes to make available a 10 percent stake for the state-owned North Macedonian company in the Alexandroupoli FSRU.

The project’s development is not expected to be impacted by any equity reshuffles.

Two international tenders staged by Gastrade, a company established by the Copelouzos group for the development and operation of the Alexandroupoli FSRU, have been successfully completed. One of the two tender concerns the FSRU’s construction. The other concerns the installation of pipelines linking this facility to the national gas grid.

The Alexandroupoli FSRU consortium is expected to make a final investment decision in late February, sources informed.

On the other front, ESM, North Macedonia’s state electricity company, is expected to acquire a 25 percent stake in a gas-fueled power station to be developed by Damco Energy, a Copelouzos group subsidiary, in Alexandroupoli’s industrial zone.

The initiative will secure 200 MW of the facility’s 800-MW capacity for North Macedonia. The country currently has an electricity deficit of approximately 2 GWh.

Bulgarian state-owned electricity company NEK EAD also appears interested in acquiring a stake in the Alexandroupoli power station. Bulgaria has projected an electricity deficit a few years from now as the country must phase out major lignite-fired power stations. European Commission exemptions extending the lifespans of these units are expiring.

Natural gas-fueled generation reaches energy-mix record share of 56.64%

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The energy mix contribution of natural gas increased to a record-level share of 56.64 percent in October, a latest energy exchange monthly report has shown.

This significant rise in the energy-mix share of natural gas – to a level never before reported since the full liberalization of Greece’s electricity market – has been attributed to a major slowdown of power utility PPC’s lignite-based generation.

Natural gas-fueled power stations operated by power utility PPC and independent producers further consolidated their place in the energy mix standings, stretching further ahead of other fuel categories.

October’s 56.64 percent energy-mix share captured by natural gas broke this fuel’s previous record of 53.76 percent, registered in August. The natural gas energy-mix share had dipped slightly to 51.74 percent in September before rebounding for October’s record-breaking result.

A year earlier, the natural gas energy mix share was below 50 percent, at 49.86 percent, while lignite’s share was at approximately 22 percent.

Returning to the latest energy-mix figures, natural gas was followed by the RES sector, capturing 33.86 percent, lignite’s share shrunk further to 4.25 percent, and hydropower followed with a 3.21 percent share.

PPC’s lignite-based generation could rise slightly in coming months to cover telethermal needs.

The role of natural gas in the ongoing energy transition towards renewable energy dominance is expected to play a pivotal role for the grid’s sufficiency and security.

Extraordinary conditions push SMP as high as €105 per MWh

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Extraordinary conditions resulting from coinciding temporary closures of various power facilities, both in Greece and abroad, have pushed up the System Marginal Price, or wholesale electricity, to levels of as much as 105 euros per MWh, as was the case yesterday.

Four domestic gas-fired power stations – Enthes (Elpedison), Heron CC, Lavrio IV and Protergia – were out of order yesterday, for different reasons.

Problems beyond the Greek border have made matters worse. Bulgaria’s 1,000-MW Kozloduy nuclear power plant is currently out of order. The Greek-Bulgarian line serves as a transit route towards North Macedonia as a line linking Bulgaria and North Macedonia is out of order. So, too, is a line linking Greece with Italy.

Power stations that rarely operate, such as an open-cycle Heron unit, needed to be called into action as a result of the problems on these various fronts. Their necessary contributions pushed the SMP to far higher levels.

Three power utility PPC lignite-fired power stations, Agios Dimitrios II and III and Melitis, along with PPC’s gas-fired power stations Aliveri V, Lavrio V, Komotini, Megalopoli V, as well as units run by the independent energy firms Heron, Thisvi and Corinth Power, all needed to be called into action to cover the grid’s needs.

The market appears to have normalized for today. SMP levels are down to relatively satisfactory levels, averaging 44.49 euros per MWh, primarily as a result of significant RES contributions, covering more than 50 percent of the overall demand, 123.993 GWh.

The lignite-fired power stations used yesterday – Agios Dimitrios II and III and Melitis – will remain closed today.

Gas-fired, RES generation high in July, gas-based output boost at PPC

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Electricity demand fell by 2 percent in July compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, while gas-fired and RES generation remained high, according to a latest energy exchange report.

Demand in July peaked at 9,033 MW, on July 31 at 2pm, while the month’s lowest level of electricity demand was 4,290 MW, recorded on July 12 at 7am, the report informed.

Domestic electricity demand represented 97.27 percent of the month’s total demand while exports represented 2.72 percent, according to the data.

Natural gas-fueled generation covered 41.21 percent of electricity demand in July, RES production covered 26.05 percent, electricity imports covered 20.01 percent, hydropower output contributed with 6.76 percent and lignite-fired generation followed with 5.97 percent.

Production by natural gas-fueled power stations in July was up 8 percent compared to the same month a year earlier, the data showed. Electricity imports were down 10 percent this July and exports rose by 14 percent.

Lignite-fired generation dropped considerably, by 64 percent, hydropower output registered a milder reduction of 4 percent, while RES output increased significantly by 49 percent.

As had been anticipated, a rise in production at PPC’s Megalopoli V unit increased the corporation’s overall gas-fired production in July, both compared to June and preceding months.

PPC’s gas-fired electricity production reached 942,613 MWh in July compared to 512,292 MWh in June.

 

Low-cost gas driving down wholesale electricity prices

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The abundance of low-cost natural gas, enabling electricity producers operating gas-fired power stations to offer extremely competitive prices, is reshaping the wholesale electricity market.

Highlighting this development, the average level of the System Marginal Price, or wholesale electricity price, today, a day of strong demand, is expected to be contained below 40 euros per MWh, at 39.551 €/MWh.

Today’s electricity demand is expected to peak over 8.3 GW with total consumption reaching 168,674 MWh. The wholesale price during the peak hours will not exceed 38.850 €/MWh.

The market conditions for today are not an isolated incident but part of a wider trend that has developed during the week.

Yesterday’s average SMP was just 35.961 €/MWh despite a peak of 8,105 MW and total electricity consumption of 162,777 MWh.

On Wednesday, when demand peaked at 8,072 MW and overall consumption totaled 162,492 MWh, the SMP was 39.243 €/MWh.

The SMP exceeded the 40 €/MWh level just once this week, on Tuesday, reaching 40.689 €/MWh, a day whose peak was below 8000 MW.

The week started with Monday’s SMP average at 39.277 €/MWh, a lower peak of 7,649 MW, and total consumption for the day of 152,716 MWh.

SMP prices have been falling to even lower levels during weekends. Last Sunday, the average SMP was just 30.629 €/MWh with the peak down to 6,370 MW and the day’s consumption at 134,563 MWh.

The grid relied on just one lignite-fired power station, Agios Dimitris III, last Sunday. Demand was primarily covered by gas-fired generation, as well as renewable energy sources, hydropower units and electricity imports.

Power demand dives 14.61% in June as tourism slumps

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Electricity demand slumped 14.61 percent in June, compared to a year earlier, despite the month’s lifting of lockdown measures, latest Greek energy exchange figures have shown.

June’s drop in power demand, attributed to the unprecedented decline in tourism activity, was even bigger than the declines registered in April and May, 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively.

Numerous hotels and other tourism industry units have not opened for business. Also, flight bans were essentially not lifted until the beginning of this month.

Responding to the drop in electricity demand, energy producers have restricted output by 16 percent.

Natural gas and renewables dominated electricity generation in June. Natural gas-fueled generation covered 36.56 percent of demand, while RES production covered 26.43 percent, the energy exchange’s June report showed. Electricity imports covered 23.93 percent, hydropower 7.43 percent and lignite-fired production 5.64 percent.

 

 

GEK TERNA set to develop new 660-MW thermal unit

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GEK TERNA is expected to finance its development of a gas-fueled power station with a 660-MW capacity in Komotini, northeastern Greece, through bond funds totaling 500 million euros, sources have informed.

In a company statement, GEK TERNA noted it intends to use 400 million of 500 million euros in bond funds to finance the group’s investment program, which includes gas-fueled power generation.

GEK TERNA is close to reaching an investment decision on this facility, the sources added. It would represent the third thermal unit involving the group.

GEK TERNA, which has the potential to play a key role in renewable energy through Terna Energy, is not overlooking thermal-unit developments.

Greece’s decarbonization strategy and the dominance of natural gas as the main fuel during the energy transition are two factors creating major opportunities for the GEK TERNA group.

Other vertically integrated electricity producers are also preparing new thermal facilities. The Mytilineos group is already constructing an 826-MW gas-fueled power station in the Boetia area, slightly northwest of Athens. This unit is expected to be launched next year.

A licensing procedure by Elpedison, also for an 826-MW facility, in Thessaloniki, is maturing.

In addition, the Copelouzos group is making progress on licensing for a 660-MW facility in Alexadroupoli, northeastern Greece. Company official Kostas Sifneos recently said this facility’s launch is scheduled for 2022.

The country’s big energy players are also continuing to eye Balkan markets for electricity exports, pundits informed.

Natural gas provides half of domestic generation in May, RES also on the rise

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Natural gas’ share of overall electricity generation in Greece reached 50.1 percent in May, a 29 percent increase compared to the same month a year earlier, highlighting that the country’s energy transition is well and truly in motion.

Renewable energy output is also on the rise, increasing by 30 percent between May this year and last May.

On the contrary, lignite-fired electricity production plummeted 87 percent year on year.

Gas-fueled power station generation covered 38.5 percent of the grid’s needs in May, RES production captured a 29.62 percent share, electricity imports contributed 23.14 percent, hydropower output provided 6.07 percent and lignite units just 2.66 percent.

In the RES sector, wind energy led the way with a 49.82 percent share of this sector’s grid contribution in May, solar energy followed with 40 percent, small-scale hydropower facilities were next with 4.68 percent, biomass-biogas was represented with a 3.68 percent share, and CCHP (combined cooling, heat and power) with 1.81 percent.

Electricity imports and exports are an emerging sector with an increasingly important role in balancing national grids, a prospect that is attracting market players, data covering the year’s first five months has shown.

Electricity imports into Greece via the interconnection shared with Italy captured a 42.38 percent share of overall imports in May, a sharp rise from the previous month’s 32.35 percent share through this link.

Electricity imports from Bulgaria fell to 8.38 percent of the overall amount in May from 23.1 percent in April. Minor changes, between April and May, were registered for Greek imports from interconnections with Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey.

Greek electricity exports to Italy fell sharply to 7.56 percent of the overall total in May from 49.51 percent in April.

The country’s electricity exports to Turkey and Bulgaria rose significantly. Exports to Turkey represented 39.47 percent of Greek power exports in May, up from 17.38 percent a month earlier. Electricity exports to Bulgaria represented 25.69 percent of Greece’s total in May, much higher than April’s 6.17 percent through this interconnection.

 

Wholesale electricity prices rising, up to €47.30/MWh today

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Wholesale electricity prices, determined by the System Marginal Price, are rebounding following a significant drop over the past few weeks.

The rise is being fueled by an anticipated increase in demand. A sidelined 600-MW line linking Greece with Bulgaria, depriving the system of electricity imports via this route, as well as a disruption in operations at an Elpedison power plant in Thessaloniki are two other contributing factors.

In addition, the Revythoussa LNG terminal just off Athens is not under any pressure, a factor subduing gas-fired unit bids and subsequently lowering the SMP.

Based on grid orders placed for today, the SMP has climbed to 47.30 euros per MWh, up from a level of around 30 euros per MWh five days earlier and 14.20 euros per MWh on May 1. Bidding by units has gradually risen since early May.

Demand, today, for domestic consumption and exports is estimated to reach 127 GWh, 40 percent of which is planned to be covered by natural gas-fired power stations, 30 percent by RES and hydropower plants, 23 percent by electricity imports, and 7 percent by lignite-fired power stations.

The SMP level will be determined by gas-fired power stations for 22 hours today, lignite-based generation will shape the price for one hour and imports for the remaining hour.

Coal electricity not competitive, Megalopoli facility workers told

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Lignite-fired power stations are becoming a far less competitive electricity generation option by the day as a result of rising operating costs, workers at the power utility PPC’s Megalopoli III and IV units have been told by the energy ministry’s leadership.

Megalopoli, a lignite-dependent local economy in the Peloponnese, will receive some 25 million euros from a lignite withdrawal compensation fund, deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas told concerned Megalopoli workers.

The government has announced a plan to withdraw all existing lignite units over the next three years.

The operating time of lignite units is currently being kept to a minimum, the only justifiable reason to keep them running being the continued provision of telethermal needs, the workers were told.

Lignite-produced electricity, including CO2 emission costs, has steadily ranged between 80 and 90 euros per MWh, compared to 55-60 euros per MWh for gas-fueled power stations and a System Marginal Price (SMP), or wholesale price, of 59-60 euros per MWh, according to December figures, deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas told PPC’s Megalopoli workers.

In the renewable energy sector, latest auctions staged by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, produced wind energy prices from 55.8 to 58.3 euros per MWh and solar energy prices at 53.8 euros per MWh.

The Megalopoli workers were not convinced by the ministry’s arguments and, citing desulphurization investments worth 140 million euros at the power station in recent years, remained adamant on the sustainability of the Megalopoli III and IV lignite-fired units.

A special steering committee assembled to coordinate a fair national transition plan towards the post-lignite era for Megalopoli and west Macedonia, Greece’s other lignite-dependent area in the country’s north, is scheduled to hold its inaugural session later this week.

 

 

US renewable energy giant Invenergy to open Athens office

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Invenergy, one of the six biggest owners of wind energy parks in the USA and the leading wind energy developer in North America, is preparing to set up an office in Athens for renewable energy investments in the Greek market.

An international player also operating in Mexico, Latin America, Japan, the UK and Poland, Invenergy has developed some 150 projects with a total capacity of 24,100 MW, covering the electricity needs of 4.77 million households, according to the company website.

The Chicago-headquartered company, which employs 950 staff members at posts around the world, had opened up an Athens office in the past but it was eventually shut down as a result of a lack of domestic activity in the RES sector.

Invenergy maintains a diverse and rapidly growing portfolio which, besides wind energy, also includes solar energy, natural gas-fueled power stations and energy storage.

The company is currently looking to recruit an international development manager for its Athens office with responsibilities including development of renewable energy and gas projects, mainly in Greece, as well as business growth support for southeast Europe and, possibly, other regions, Invenergy posted on its website just days ago.

Development minister Adonis Georgiadis, commenting shortly after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ recent trip to Washington, noted – without naming – that one of the USA’s biggest renewable energy companies was preparing to enter the Greek market for battery production.

Elvalhalcor given green light for gas-fueled power station

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Elvalhalcor, the Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry, has been given approval by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, for a prospective 566-MW gas-fueled power station in Thisvi, Boetia, slightly northwest of Athens.

The industrial enterprise now intends to continue with its licensing procedure, which will require time, before making a final investment decision later on.

Factors to determine the investment decision include the outcome of a measure offsetting industrial carbon emission costs, currently being looked at by the European Commission; the shape of a CAT remuneration plan for gas-fueled power stations; as well as the target model’s implementation method and schedule.

PPC is also considering such factors ahead of a decision on the development of a gas-fueled power station, either independently or through a partnership.

“Capacity exists for one or two gas-fueled power stations in the country’s overall energy mix, but these will require financial support,” noted PPC chief executive Giorgos Stassis. “At this point, conditions are not clear. We’re all waiting for the regulatory framework.”

Elvalhalcor power plant decision in first half of 2020, RES options considered

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Elvalhalcor, the Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry, anticipating an imminent approval of its license application for gas-fueled electricity production, will decide whether it will develop a power plant during the first half of 2020, sources have informed.

This plan, however, could be put on hold if Elvalhalcor ends up deciding to pursue renewable energy options, either through acquisitions of existing units or development of its own.

Reduced RES installation and equipment costs have attracted the attention of Elvalhalcor officials, currently examining the company’s options.

Elvalhalcor’s application for a gas-fueled electricity production, submitted to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, last July, caught the market by surprise, pundits, until then, believing the construction of new power plants would be limited to energy groups.

The Elvalhalcor power plant, if developed, would be constructed in Thisvi, Boetia, slightly northwest of Athens, as a 566-MW facility, to cover the industrial enterprise’s sizable energy needs.

Greece’s heavy industry has been driven towards electricity production as a result of high energy costs – wholesale energy in Greece is Europe’s most expensive – delays in the implementation of the target model, power utility PPC’s most recent failure to sell lignite units, and Europe’s political turn to cleaner energy sources.

PPC’s new strategic business plan, expected soon, as well as Greece’s revised National Energy and Climate Plan, to shape the country’s energy-sector developments over the next decade, will both be pivotal factors in Elvalhalcor’s decisions.

 

Four-pronged solution likeliest to avert Crete energy shortage

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Currently examining options to prevent a looming energy shortage on Crete as of next year, when outdated high-polluting power stations will need to cease operating, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, appears most likely to settle for a four-pronged solution involving facility conversions, the introduction of a new gas-fueled unit, additional renewable energy output and energy storage.

The package, constituting one of several plans researched by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), is seen as an optimal solution as it combines energy sufficiency, economy and environmental protection.

Crete faces an energy sufficiency alert between 2020 – when older units will cease operating and a small-scale grid interconnection linking the island with the Peloponnese is launched – and 2023, when a large-scale interconnection linking the island’s grid with Athens is expected to be completed.

The NTUA proposal includes converting 100-MW diesel-fueled units at Atherinolakkos to a gas-fueled facility; installing a new 100-MW unit, preferably gas fueled; development of new RES facilities with a total capacity of between 100 and 150 MW; and, in an unprecedented move for Greece, the installation and incorporation into the grid of energy storage systems (high-tech batteries) with a capacity of 30 to 40 MW.

Development of this four-pronged solution has, in effect, already begun but details still need to be discussed with energy ministry officials, the IPTO and DEDDIE/HEDNO operators, and power utility PPC.

 

Elpedison enters race for new gas-fueled power station

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Elpedison has submitted an application to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, for an electricity production license concerning an 826-MW combined cycle gas-fueled unit in the Thessaloniki area, next to an existing company unit.

The investment plan, estimated to be worth 400 million euros and requiring about two years to complete, is the fifth application submitted by as many companies for a gas-fueled power station.

The companies still need to make final business decisions to proceed with these investment plans. The country’s grid capacity is believed to have space for one or two new gas-fueled power stations over the next few years.

Production licenses have already been granted by RAE for some of the other four applications while the processing of the others is believed to have reached an advanced stage.

The Mytilineos group has applied for a 650-MW unit at the corporation’s energy hub at the Viotia (Boeotia) area’s Agios Nikolaos location, slightly northwest of Athens. The Copelouzos group submitted an application for a 660-MW unit Alexandroupoli, northeastern Greece; Gek-Terna is looking to develop a 660-MW gas-fueled power station in Komotini, in the north; and the Karatzis group, owner of the KEN electricity company, aims to develop a 665-MW in the country’s mid-north, in Larissa.