PV growth rate readjustment to 1 GW, annually, expected

New PV installations are expected to reach a lofty level of nearly 2 GW this year before adjusting to an annual growth rate of about 1 GW thereafter.

Energy consultant Stelios Psomas, speaking at the recently staged Renewable Energy Tech event staged by energypress, noted he expects a robust readjustment, close to annual levels of 1 GW, in the forthcoming years as a result of prevailing market conditions and an increase in RES grid-injection cuts.

An annual PV installation growth rate of approximately 1 GW would still make Greece a major European market, the official noted.

“The market is currently surviving as a result of major projects that secured connection terms in the past and are currently under construction,” Psomas told the Renewable Energy Tech event. “We are a small country with relatively low demand and we still don’t have sufficient interconnections. The market will inevitably calm down a bit from now on, but it will continue growing at a rate of 1 GW, which is still a very good figure,” he added.

 

 

Community Agrivoltaics: A new application of social and climate justice

The recent demonstrations of farmers, from Poland and France to Greece, bring back to the public debate the urgent need to (re)develop our agricultural policy. From the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the imbalanced farmer-agro-industry power relations in supply chains, the issue is multifaceted. Let us focus on one aspect of it: access to cheap – and clean – energy. The dependence of agricultural production on fossil fuels (see motorization, equipment, irrigation) puts a significant burden on the budget of the farmers themselves, and also leads to revaluations (see the ‘fossilflation’ phenomenon) in the supply chain – with consumers as the ultimate ‘victims’.

Subsidies for solar projects by farmers, a policy with years of implementation in Greece and Europe, can provide an additional income stream, while at the same time significantly alleviating a farmer’s operating costs. Supporting farmers to engage in RES projects (e.g., photovoltaics or biomass) is therefore a clear win-win solution for society and the climate. But could we move the equation one step further?

Agrivoltaics: combined and more efficient use of space

Meeting national (and EU) climate targets will require massive investment in new renewable energy systems. In particular, the Revised Renewable Energy Directive provides for a significant increase in the share of renewables in the energy system, while establishing “Renewable Energy Acceleration Areas” (Article 15c). At the same time, the Nature Restoration Regulation provides for the protection and restoration of 20% of the land and seas of each Member State. As a result, the next decade will be defined by increasingly intense conflicts and disputes over the use of an otherwise finite resource: land. Research by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center has shown that if we covered 1% of Europe’s agricultural land with agrivoltaics, we could produce 1TW of energy – thus exceeding the EU targets for solar energy by 2030, without compromising agricultural production.

Widely used in countries such as France, Spain and Germany, the term “agrivoltaics” describes the combined production of energy and food on a specific plot of land. The benefits are numerous: some crops (e.g., tomatoes and potatoes) perform better in lower temperature and shade conditions, which is what the installation of elevated photovoltaic systems can provide. Transpiration from the crops meanwhile helps to reduce the temperature of the photovoltaics, thus increasing their efficiency. The panels can be moved dynamically, for example to allow rain to pass through to the ground thus watering the crops, or horizontally to reduce hail damage or to regulate the soil temperature depending on the weather. The combined use of land also benefits biodiversity.

Some practical applications in Greece

Two interesting initiatives come to combine technological innovation with social innovation and highlight through practical applications a new paradigm of land use, aiming at strengthening the agri-food sector and empowering local rural communities.

In Ioannina, the first urban community agrι-photovoltaic project in Greece is already being planned and a replication will follow in Skopje, North Macedonia. It is an urban vegetable garden that will be combined with the production of clean energy from special photovoltaic panels. The pilot will be coordinated by the local energy community CommonEn and the design will follow participatory procedures with the involvement of citizens and local stakeholders. The project is primarily funded by the German Federal Foundation for Environment (DBU) and co-funded by the Onassis Foundation. In parallel, the project is supported by the Municipality of Ioannina and the Solar Hub project.

The Solar Hub project is a Greek-Turkish Excellence Hub that aims to promote solar energy technologies, with a focus on agrivoltaic and solar thermal systems and their applications in the agri-food sector. The Greek ecosystem, coordinated by the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), promotes networking, solution development, training, and knowledge transfer activities.

A Holistic Approach

At the state level, the ongoing revision of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) across Europe, as well as the upcoming law on agri-photovoltaics (in Greece), should foresee support measures for such projects developed specifically by energy communities and other collective schemes. Promoting social and technological innovation can provide incentives, especially for young people, to return (or remain) in rural areas, thus also contributing to reversing population desertification.

CommonEn’s project in Ioannina will be small in size but large in symbolic value. It reflects the view that environmental solutions must include elements of social and economic justice – only then will they be socially accepted. Solutions and policies in the context of a holistic planning for rural development should be co-designed by farmers and local communities in the countryside themselves, and should be co-owned by them – as can be done through energy communities.

Christos Vrettos, Electra Energy, European Federation of Citizen Energy Cooperatives (REScoop.eu)

Dimitris Kitsikopoulos, Electra Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deye, Solarity start partnership for sustainable solar EU

Deye, the world’s leading solar inverter manufacturer, and Solarity, an excellent distributor and solutions provider of photovoltaic (PV) systems, have officially signed an agreement to further their collaboration, marking a significant milestone in advancing the reach and impact of their innovative solar solutions.

Solarity offers a complete assortment of both on-grid and off-grid solutions, including modules, inverters, mounting systems, batteries, and accessories, to PV professionals in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Northern Africa.

Its international team has over 10 years of PV experience with offices on four continents and is based in Prague, Budapest, Kyiv, Amman, Warsaw, Casablanca and Bogota. Its business partners are installers, EPC contractors, resellers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers in almost all PV markets.

Solarity has already served hundreds of B2B customers from more than 50 countries and has delivered more than 1 GW of PV material worldwide.

Ningbo Deye Inverter Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2007 and listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2021, stands as a leading company operating on the global solar market. Known for its commitment to innovation and forward-thinking, Deye boasts a diverse portfolio of inverters, ranging from 0.3 kW to 136 kW. Specializing in advanced inverter technologies, Deye is a pioneer in hybrid inverters, on-grid inverters, and microinverters.

The newly forged agreement between Deye and Solarity aims to strengthen their cooperation, enhancing the quality of products and services delivered to local customers.

Both companies share a common vision of promoting sustainable development and contributing to the global renewable energy reform. By leveraging their respective strengths and expertise, Deye and Solarity aim to create significant value for the solar industry and society at large.

“This is another milestone for us in providing the best photovoltaic products and services. We are grateful and even more committed to empowering our solar partners worldwide. Deye hybrid inverters represent flexible and powerful solutions for residential and commercial projects,” says Michal Adrian, founder and CEO at Solarity.

Alan WU, Head of Deye sales director, sees this as a significant step as the company introduces its industry-leading and innovative products to the local market.  “We have built a comprehensive and strong team covering sales, pre- and after-sales support in Europe since last year to provide timely support to local clients. Now we take a step further to forge the distribution agreement with Solarity, reinforcing our commitment to the Europe‘s clean transition towards renewable energy future. We’re looking forward to extending our comprehensive local technology training programs, both online and offline, for our distributors and installers this year. We believe that sharing technology knowledge is the most effective means of communication with our clients. By continually researching and developing more versatile and flexible products, along with improving our pre- and after- sales experiences, we’re dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations and fulfilling their diverse demands,” he added.

Photo: Group photo of the Deye team (left) and the Solarity team. 

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

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.

Gov’t solar energy plan aims to cut farmers’ energy costs

The energy ministry is preparing a solar-energy support program for farmers that would reduce their energy costs by offsetting consumption.

This initiative will either be integrated into the Apollo initiative – a 20-year RES support program envisaged to offer solar-energy output to low-income households, local government organizations, as well as public drainage and municipal water supply and sewerage companies – or a second Apollo program will be established specifically for farmers.

Officials remain undecided as to which of these two options will be preferred, sources informed.

As part of the strategy, energy consumption levels of farmers in all of Greece’s administrative regions will be analyzed to determine regional solar-energy needs.

Separate auctions will be staged for each administrative region to offer participants 20-year tariffs as part of their virtual net-billing arrangements.

The eventual energy-cost support scheme for farmers is expected to be included in a wider package of support measures being prepared by the government as farmers continue mobilizations in various parts of the country over high production costs and reimbursements.

Apollo RES program, offering tariffs for 1.1 GW, now closer

The energy ministry has prepared a legislative revision needed to launch Apollo, a 20-year RES support program envisaged to offer solar-energy output to low-income households, local government organizations, as well as public drainage and municipal water supply and sewerage companies, deputy energy minister Alexandra Sdoukou has announced.

The energy ministry has already begun work on shaping the consumption profiles and energy needs of prospective beneficiaries in order to dimension required RES units needed for the support program, the deputy minister noted.

The program’s objective is to cover, with renewable energy, 90 percent of the energy needs of low-income households with renewable energy, and 50 percent of the energy needs of local government organizations, public drainage and municipal water supply and sewerage companies.

According to an early estimate, an overall RES quantity of 1.1 GW will be needed to achieve the Apollo support program’s objective.

Besides its significant social-support aspect, the Apollo program also promises to propel a considerable number of RES projects still under development. By securing remuneration, these pending projects will have cleared a crucial final hurdle needed for their commercial launch.

The program also promises to enhance grid-capacity preservation through increased energy storage.

Participating RES projects will qualify for the Apollo program through thirteen RES auctions, one for each of the country’s thirteen administrative regions.

RES auction for PVs with batteries in March

An inaugural RES auction offering 200 MW for photovoltaics with batteries, scheduled to take place March, will require successful bidders to accept greater grid-injection limits.

The starting price for this auction, still unknown, will be set at a higher level than usual as the cost of incorporating batteries to photovoltaics will be factored in.

It will serve as a pilot procedure that will help shape new auctions to be established by the energy ministry for RES installations.

Current RES auction terms and conditions are expected to soon undergo major changes, which, as a result, will include limiting participation to bidders committing to electrify their projects by specific dates.

The energy ministry plans to announced the March auction in February. Besides its starting price, to be set by a special committee established by the ministry to oversee matters concerning RES penetration, other auction details that remain pending include battery-type and battery-duration standards.

It is already considered certain that investors behind older projects possessing connection terms will need to commit to accepting higher grid-injection restrictions than the current 28 percent level, set in 2022. The aforementioned committee will also be setting these new rates, possibly at levels of between 40 and 50 percent.

RES project grid applications reach unrealistic level of 42 GW

RES project applications being submitted to power grid operator IPTO by investors, for grid capacity reservations, have continued at an alarming rate, resulting in an enormous and unrealistic wave of applications representing a total of roughly 42 GW, energypress sources have informed.

The applications concern more than 1,700 prospective RES units holding either producer certificates or production licenses and representing an overall capacity of 34.1 GW, as well as group applications representing 7.9 GW in prospective RES units, the sources noted.

In addition to these grid capacity-reservation applications totaling 42 GW, 15 GW in RES units currently under development have received finalized connection offers, while 10.6 GW in RES units are operating, according to IPTO’s updated ten-year development program covering 2024 to 2033.

This essentially means that RES projects representing an overall capacity of 67.6 GW have either secured grid reservations or submitted applications for reservations.

Quite clearly, a large number of the 42-GW in RES projects for which grid-reservation requests have been submitted will not be developed. The upgraded National Energy and Climate Plan for 2050 has set a 54.4-GW target for installed capacity covering photovoltaics, onshore wind farms, combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) projects, biomass-biogas plants, and small-scale hydropower plants.

 

RAAEY announces first RES auction for installations in EEA

RΑΑΕΥ, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, has announced a first RES auction offering operating support to new solar and wind energy projects planned for installation in Bulgaria and Italy.

The cross-border auction has been made possible by a new local law that facilitates auctions for project development in the European Economic Area, an international agreement enabling the extension of the EU’s single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association.

Qualifying projects will have to sell their RES output in Greece’s day-ahead market on a daily basis daily, through physical delivery, meaning they will need to have secured interconnection rights.

A maximum capacity of 200 MW will be offered through the inaugural auction, whose bidding process was triggered by its announcement in the government gazette, and completed on March 11, 2024.

RAAEY will complete its appraisal of bids by April 18 and publish a list of qualifying and disqualified project bids, before releasing a finalized list of successful bids on April 25. Unsuccessful bidders will be given the opportunity to appeal during the intermediate one-week period.

Contrary to terms concerning mixed RES auctions for projects to be installed in Greece, no minimum percentage of successful projects per technology will be required.

In order to participate, prospective projects will need to possess valid connection contracts and/or finalized connection offers.

At least three projects linked with as many investors will need to participate for the auction to go ahead, while participants will not be able to compete for over 35 percent of the total capacity on offer.

Business PV installation subsidies nearing launch

A much-heralded 160 million-euro support program to subsidize business-sector solar energy panel installations, with or without batteries for energy storage, is now nearing its launch.

Government officials behind the support package are aiming for an energy consumption reduction, from the grid, of at least 35 percent by program participants, as well as carbon emission reductions, by these participants, of at least 30 percent.

The support program’s guidelines are soon expected to be announced so that interested parties can prepare applications. This announcement will be followed by a ministerial decision to activate the program and get the application process underway.

Over 3,000 businesses of all sizes around the country are expected to benefit from this support program.

Judging by current indications, respective pools of 60 million euros each are planned to be made available to small and medium-sized enterprises, while a 40 million-euro sum is expected to be reserved for large-sized enterprises.

Selection criteria for applicants will include proportion of energy costs compared to total operating costs, as well as the amount of financing support requested compared to potential energy-bill cost reduction promised by PV and energy storage installations.

 

 

Global supply chain under pressure, PV sector impacted

The global supply chain is under pressure as numerous container ships have been rerouted around southern Africa to avoid the Suez Canal as a result of attacks on vessels on the western coast of Yemen by Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran and declaring they have attacked ships in response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The situation, potentially adding three to four weeks to product delivery times, also spells trouble for Europe’s solar energy sector, officials have told energypress.

Though the PV sector is currently enjoying record-low cost for equipment, the drama unfolding in the Red Sea and at the Suez Canal threatens to greatly impact the global supply chain and alter favorable conditions currently benefiting the PV sector.

The European market’s PV needs are mostly covered by Chinese manufacturing. Any disruption to transportation routes would result in sector shortages on the continent.

PV officials in Europe are already warning the current rerouting of numerous container ships could increase market pressure for solar panels in the coming months.

PPC Renewables, Intrakat reach mutually beneficial deal

PPC Renewables, a subsidiary of power utility PPC, and construction group Intrakat have just announced a deal promising to greatly boost the former’s portfolio of wind energy projects and accelerate development of the latter’s RES portfolio.

The overwhelming majority of RES units included in the agreement are wind energy projects, facilitating renewable energy production for PPC Renewables around the clock, not just during the daytime limits of PV-related generation.

PPC Renewables is taking over a 164-MW wind energy capacity, plus virtually half of a 1.6-GW portfolio maintained by Intrakat group companies. All these acquisitions concern wind energy parks at different stages of development.

The deal allies PPC with a large construction group, while also linking Intracat with a Greek energy giant that possesses expertise in energy production and management, ensuring rapid development of the construction group’s renewable energy portfolio.

The 164-MW portfolio of wind energy park projects acquired by PPC is comprised of 20 MW in projects already operating and 144 MW in projects in development.

Also, PPC is acquiring a 49 percent stake in the Intrakat group’s holding companies, representing roughly 1.6 GW in RES projects, with the right to acquire a majority stake in the future.

Energy communities, business PVs to gain from freed capacity

The energy ministry is considering to offer half of a 2.5-GW amount in freed grid capacity resulting from an increase of capacity limits at existing substations to three self-producing categories.

Residential RES producers would, according to the ministry’s plan, be offered 40 percent of this freed 1.25-GW capacity, self-producing farmers will be eligible for a 30 percent share, while the other 30 percent will be reserved for self-producers in the secondary and tertiary sectors, as well as energy communities.

The other 1.25 GW of the 2.5-GW capacity total is planned to be allocated exclusively to companies qualifying for subsidy programs supporting PV installations.

Also, the power generation limit is planned to be maintained at 10 KW for residential producers and increased to 100 KW for all other aforementioned categories.

Business PV and battery support program details soon

The energy ministry is finalizing the details of a support program for business-sector solar panel and battery installations, which are expected to be officially announced soon, most likely within the next few days, and definitely within the current month, energypress sources have informed.

The ministry had made an initial announcement on this PV support program for businesses months ago, but has yet to deliver its details.

Businesses will need to incorporate batteries into their PV installations in order to be eligible for the support program, the sources informed. Subsidies will be offered for both PVs and batteries through this support program, but the subsidy rate for batteries will be considerably greater, the sources added.

In the lead-up, ministry officials had intended to also offer subsidies to PVs without batteries, but this prospect is now off the table.

The support program, budgeted at 160 million euros, a sum to stem from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), will be implemented by TAIPED, the Greek privatization fund.

 

Apollo RES support program an opportunity for 1.1 GW in PVs

Solar energy system investors are expressing strong interest to participate in Apollo, a 20-year RES support program presented early this month by the energy ministry and envisaged to offer RES output to low-income households, local government organizations, as well as public drainage and municipal water supply and sewerage companies.

This program has generated investor interest as it is expected to provide a development outlet for RES projects with a total capacity of 1.1 GW. It will also enhance grid-capacity preservation.

At present, roughly 8 GW in wind and solar energy projects with finalized connection offers have yet to secure tariffs for sale of output to the energy market. This shortcoming is creating financing obstacles for investors as banks hesitate to extend loans to customers without steady revenues. If they do decide to offer loans under such high-risk circumstances, interest rates are set extremely high.

Through the Apollo program, investors would succeed in derisking, or hedging risk, as the program is practically like signing a 20-year bilateral contract with the state as an off-taker.

The program also promises to boost new RES capacity, which, without Apollo, would be limited to the capacity offered by the approved RES licensing procedure, foreseeing 2 GW in new projects by 2025.

However, questions remain as to whether measures will be introduced to offset the program’s cost for the RES special account.

 

Zero-level wholesale prices reawaken RES investor fears

Zero-level electricity prices recorded over a nine-hour period yesterday in the wholesale market as a result of overproduction in wind power due to strong winds have reawakened RES investor fears of massive energy cuts.

If it weren’t for a sudden dip in temperatures around the country yesterday, which boosted energy demand, the grid operator would have been forced to cut far more than the 60 MW in solar energy and 200 MW in wind energy that it was forced to block from the grid, for approximately one hour, to prevent grid overloading and ensure stability.

Resulting zero-level wholesale electricity prices and increased exports to neighboring markets does not mean that authorities can remain complacent.

On the contrary, the overproduction threat faced by RES investors will continue to grow, impacting revenues of their photovoltaic and wind energy facilities, as RES penetration of the system deepens and many renewables are activated without batteries.

Had yesterday’s developments taken place a week earlier, when weather conditions were milder, far more drastic RES output cuts would have been needed.

Regularly collapsing wholesale electricity prices and resulting RES output cuts by the grid operator are two factors RES producers will now definitely need to take into account when preparing their green-energy business plans.

 

First support auction for PVs with batteries by February

The energy ministry is working to complete plans by the end of this year for a first auction, no later than February, 2024, offering investment and operational support to mature-level solar energy projects possessing connection terms and planned to incorporate batteries, energypress sources have informed.

According to the sources, the upcoming first auction will offer investors support for a total capacity of between 200 and 300 MW, as part of the ministry’s wider plan to aid a 2-GW portfolio of solar energy farms with batteries behind the meter.

The ministry’s objective is to preserve as much grid capacity as possible. The addition of batteries to solar energy projects, even if small-sized with capacity to store just one hour’s worth of energy, offers a 50 percent reduction in grid capacity occupied by projects.

A considerable number of projects are expected to take part in the series of support auctions, power grid operator IPTO’s development program data for 2024 to 2033, published last June, has indicated.

According to this data, 10,590 MW of photovoltaics have connection terms for the transmission system and 1,141 MW for the distribution network.

As previously reported by energypress, RES projects taking part in these auctions will face strict electrification deadlines, the objective being to limit participation to truly feasible RES projects with batteries.

As a result, IPTO will know when grid capacity will be released by photovoltaics and be in a position to offer investors precise information on connection-term delivery.

Ministry working to resolve PPA issues faced by industry

The energy ministry is working on a plan that would allow industrial enterprises to use green-energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) as a means of gaining long-term visibility on energy costs, while keeping supply prices at internationally competitive levels.

As part of the effort, the ministry is seriously considering the possibility of requiring RES projects that secure tariffs at future RES auctions to sign bilateral contracts with industrial consumers for a share of their overall power output.

Though a first round of green-energy PPAs involving energy-intensive consumers have already been established, challenges have been encountered, a key problem being a drastic reduction in grid capacity availability.

One solution being worked on by the energy ministry entails increasing an injection limitation for new photovoltaics to 50 percent of output, as well as making battery installations compulsory for new solar farms.

NECP investments of €192bn until 2030 promise GDP surge

The revised National Energy and Climate Plan, boosted to include more ambitious targets for 2030, anticipates investments worth 192 billion euros – primarily in transport – which promise to provide unprecedented momentum for the Greek economy.

Of this 192 billion-euro total, an amount of approximately 100 billion euros is expected to be injected into the electromobility sector, for which an NECP target figure of 460,000 electric vehicles has been set by 2030.

This leaves a further 92 billion euros, still an enormous amount, for investments in other sectors. Energy-related modernization of household equipment and appliances, as well as building energy-efficiency upgrades, are seen capturing the biggest share, with nearly 50 billion euros in investments forecast over the next seven years.

Replacement of outdated household equipment with new, more efficient systems is expected to mobilize close to 42.4 billion euros, according to the revised NECP. A further 6 billion euros in spending is expected for energy-efficiency upgrades to buildings.

The numbers are staggering and highlight a prospective boom in construction and related sectors, as long as households are ensured substantial aid and financing.

Subsidy programs supporting home energy-efficiency upgrades and electric vehicle purchases will need to be doubled, even tripled, annually, compared to previous years, as pointed out in the revised NECP, if abounding theories contending that the green transition is costly and financially harmful are to be proven wrong.

The percentage of GDP for spending on all types of energy-related products and services is seen rising from 19.4 percent in 2021 to 21.6 percent in 2030, before sliding to 17 percent.

Investments in all forms of cleaner electricity production, from solar farms to onshore and offshore wind farms, are ranked third. The revised NECP anticipates investments totaling 11.9 billion euros until 2030 in this domain.

Grid development is ranked fourth with anticipated investments of 6.5 billion euros by 2030, followed by much smaller amounts for energy-efficiency improvements in industry, natural gas and oil systems and other alternative fuel-related expenditure.

Revised NECP sets more ambitious targets for 2030

Greece’s revised National Energy and Climate Plan, forwarded to the  European Commission and published on its website, sets new 2030 targets of 23.5 GW for all forms of renewables, 5.3 GW in energy storage, 7.7 GW in natural gas-fueled power stations, zero lignite presence, as well as a fleet of 460,000 electric vehicles.

In the RES sector, the country’s new NECP sets goals for 2030 of 9.5 GW in wind energy capacity, including 1.9 GW in offshore wind farms; 13.4 GW in solar power capacity; and 0.6 GW in other RES technologies.

Onshore wind farm capacity is planned to expected to increase by 12 GW between now and 2030, from 11.5 GW at present to 23.5 GW in 2030. The 2030 capacity goal for hydropower plants has been set at 3.8 GW.

The energy storage goal of 5.3 GW is expected to consist of 3.1 GW in batteries and 2.2 GW in pumped-storage hydropower stations.

Total annual electricity production is expected to reach 64.6 TWh in 2030, while electricity imports are forecast to be slashed to no more than 3 percent of Greece’s overall electricity generation, according to the revised NECP.

Renewables are planned to represent 44 percent of energy consumption by 2030, up from 35 percent in the previous NECP. Also renewables have been set an objective to contribute 80 percent of electricity production by 2030, significantly higher than the current NECP’s level of 61 percent, and close to 95 percent from 2035 onwards.

The revised NECP includes a zero-carbon emissions target in electricity generation from 2035 onwards.

Carbon emissions have already dropped significantly in 2023 as a result of the withdrawal of lignite-fired power stations.

Plant fencing around solar farms to be made compulsory

A prospective legislative revision forwarded by the energy ministry for consultation will make plant fencing around the perimeters of all solar energy farms, existing and prospective, compulsory, the aim being to reduce the environmental impact and visual disturbance caused by such project installations.

The revision is included in a draft bill covering spatial and urban planning matters concerning renewables.

However, it remains questionable whether tree fencing around the perimeters of solar energy farms could work in all cases.

Last summer, SEF/HELAPCO, the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies, presented a report contending that plant fencing solutions are not always viable. It would make more sense to fence off sections of solar energy farms, while not all tree types, even native species, can prosper as a result of radiation, the association highlighted. Also, for safety reasons, planting should not obstruct alarm systems of solar energy farms, it noted.

According to sector experts, a similar initiative taken by Spain several years ago demonstrated low sustainability rates of native Mediterranean plant species serving as solar farm fencing. Existing vegetation within properties hosting PVs were exceptions, the experts pointed out.

Grid injection limitation for new PVs to be revised to 50%

A grid injection limitation for new PV projects will be revised to 50 percent as a connection term condition for RES projects seeking to secure grid capacity, while certain PV categories, still undetermined, will also be required to incorporate batteries into their systems, the energy ministry has decided, according to sources.

A previous grid injection limitation of 72 percent applied for new PVs which, up until July 4, 2022, had either not established connection term agreements or not submitted completed requests for connection term contracts.

Projects needing to be equipped with batteries will need to meet minimum technical specifications concerning choice of battery.

As for PV projects that will not be required to be equipped with batteries, it remains uncertain if they could secure financial viability with a grid injection limitation at a level of 50 percent.

RES producers will certainly be taking into consideration the course of battery costs over the next few years, while projects mature in terms of licensing and are ready to be developed, before reaching decisions on whether to incorporate batteries into their projects or not.

No grid injection limitation revisions are expected for wind energy facilities.

Investment interest soars for RES units with batteries

Investment interest has soared for renewable energy projects equipped with storage units. A total of 81 producer-certificate applications concerning such projects and representing a total capacity of 2.44 GW were submitted to an October cycle, held by RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water.

Solar energy projects dominated the October cycle, numbering 48 in total. Wind energy projects followed, totaling 29.

If these October applications are approved, RAAEY’s registry of RES projects will increase to represent a total capacity of 7.73 GW.

Without a doubt, investors are being driven by an energy ministry announcement offering priority status to RES investments with batteries as a means of addressing a shortage in grid capacity.

RES output cuts, seen rising to protect the grid from overloading, is another key factor prompting investors to equip their projects with storage units.

Business plans for renewables with batteries are excessive and completely disproportionate to the needs of the grid, sector officials have noted.

HEDNO to legally challenge RAAEY fine imposed for PV auction issues

Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO plans to take legal action challenging a fine of one million euros imposed by RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, for problems concerning how two auctions offering connection terms for solar power units in the Peloponnese and Crete were conducted, the operator’s top official has noted in a statement addressed to parliament.

The operator does not accept the RAAEY decision and will challenge it in the legally prescribed manner, stated Anastasios Manos, chief executive officer of DEDDIE/HEDNO, in response to a question posed by the main opposition leftist Syriza party.

DEDDIE/HEDNO also believes the RAAEY fine does not annul the auctions and intends to continue and complete its processing of applications for the Peloponnese and Crete networks, both saturated, the CEO noted.

The operator considers that it has taken all possible measures to ensure the auction’s platform functions properly, stressing it has fully complied with a relevant circular issued.

 

Early-November notification for business PV subsidies

A 160 million-euro support program subsidizing solar energy panel installations by enterprises is nearing its launch, with the energy ministry set to publish its terms and conditions early next month, ahead of the program’s official announcement.

The support program will only be made available for zero feed-in systems – solar panel units not injecting their production into the grid.

Electricity produced by this category of units will either be instantly self-consumed or stored in incorporated batteries for latter use.

The energy ministry had initially considered restricting this subsidy program to enterprises installing solar systems with batteries, but ended up deciding to also make it available for businesses not incorporating batteries to their panels as some enterprises may not require storage options due to extended operating hours that would enable them to instantly self-consume all energy output.

Subsidy amounts will be smaller for solar panel installations without batteries as a result of their lower investment cost.

Incentives, through auction, planned for PVs with batteries

The energy ministry is considering to offer incentives to PV facility investors for behind-the-meter battery installations as a means of freeing up grid capacity, a solution that would enable power grid operator IPTO to resume offering new connection terms, currently on hold as a result of grid-capacity restraints.

According to the ministry’s plan, incentives would be offered in the form of tariffs secured by PV producers through auction.

Essentially, these auctions would only be open to PV projects possessing finalized grid connection term offers and equipped with batteries. The auctions would offer higher tariffs taking into account the increase in investment cost.

At present, RES projects under development and already possessing finalized grid-connection term offers represent a total capacity of 15 GW. If a portion of these projects are equipped with batteries behind the meter, then a significant amount of grid capacity could be saved to facilitate new green-energy investments.

 

 

 

Combining PVs with batteries essential, AKUO boss stresses

Combining PV facilities with batteries needs to be made mandatory, while an upgrade of the country’s grid and interconnections is crucial for the energy transition, Eric Scotto, president of French renewable energy giant AKUO has stressed in an interview with energypress.

Backed by decades of experience in agrivoltaism, combining solar energy production and agricultural development of territories, AKUO, the company president noted, aims to establish Greece as Europe’s leader in this sector.

The French energy group’s extensive experience in agrivoltaism will enable the company to offer solutions that fit the needs and challenges of the Greek landscape, Scotto pointed out.

He saluted a recent decision by the Greek energy ministry to promote hybrid RES systems combining PVs with energy storage, noting that, otherwise, the problem of RES output cuts, carried out to avoid grid overloading, could not be countered.

Scotto, in the enegypress interview, also underlined the importance of sufficient grid interconnections, especially in the case of Greece, as they represent a key to further growth in green energy output, which, inevitably, will greatly exceed domestic needs.

Emphasis needs to be placed on green-energy PPAs between companies and RES producers, Scotto noted, while also expressing confidence that AKUO will reach its goals in Greece through prospective projects totaling 1.5 GW.

AKUO was founded in 2007 and has grown to develop PV, wind energy and storage projects in approximately 30 countries.

DEPA Commercial tender soon for PV parks totaling 495 MW

Gas company DEPA Commercial aims to announce, by the end of the year, a tender for the design, procurement and development of its first renewable energy projects, energypress sources have informed.

The tender will concern two projects totaling 495 MW, most of this capacity, 400 MW, for solar energy farms in Kozani, northern Greece, plus 95 MW for solar energy farms in Viotia, slightly northwest of the wider Athens area.

DEPA Commercial, which has shaped a new company strategy striving for vertical integration by also becoming an electricity producer, last year acquired New Spesconcept, holding a 222-MW RES portfolio, and North Solar, possessing a RES portfolio of 500 MW.

Besides its entry into the RES sector, with prospective solar energy projects totaling approximately 730 MW, DEPA Commercial also intends to partner with power utility PPC and the Copelouzos group in a new 840-MW combined-cycle power plant being planned for development in Komotini, northeastern Greece.

Also, DEPA Commercial, as part of its new strategy, has undertaken initiatives to expand its wholesale trading activity in foreign markets. This effort has significantly intensified over the past two years.

At present, DEPA Commercial is active in the Austrian, Hungarian, Romanian and Italian markets and has signed agreements to supply gas to Moldova and Albania.

DEPA Commercial, it should be noted, is the first Greek gas company to have become a member of the Hungarian Energy Exchange (CEEGEX).

The Hungarian market represents a pivotal gas trading hub in central Europe and is also located at the northern end of the prospective Vertical Corridor, a route running from Greece to Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary that will be created by interconnecting the transmission systems of these four countries to enable two-way transport of fuel between south and north.

Flexibility in terms to unblock subsidies for roof-mounted PVs

Authorities are preparing more flexible terms that would free funds available through a subsidy program for roof-mounted photovoltaics, currently encountering blockages when the specifications of equipment installed are different to systems noted in subsidy applications.

Revisions to the pvstegi platform, accepting applications, are now being planned in order to offer applicants some degree of flexibility. The changes will enable small reductions in capacities of PV systems installed compared to capacities of PV systems specified in applications.

At present, the pvstegi platform, operated by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO, does not allow for any deviations. Subsidy procedures are immediately blocked if any discrepancies are identified.

Minor capacity deviations that may result from the time subsidy applications are submitted to the time photovoltaic systems have been installed are understandable as investors could end up opting for slightly different equipment, such as solar panels or batteries with different capacities, during stretched out time periods between application and installation, market officials pointed out.

A first wave of successful applicants is expected to soon receive subsidy amounts through the roof-mounted PVs program. Approximately 10,000 applications have been submitted to date. PV systems need to incorporate batteries to be eligible for subsidies.