Preliminary data has shown that the total amount of wind energy installations made in 2017 exceeded 300 MW, which rates as the renewable energy sub-sector’s second strongest annual performance, ELETAEN (Greek Wind Energy Association) director Panagiotis Ladakakos told an event held to usher in the New Year.

A record number of wind turbine orders were made in 2017, according to data provided by sector firms, which sets high hopes for new wind energy installations in 2018, expected to exceed 250 MW, Ladakakos told the event.

Sector firms remained resilient and took investment initiatives in foreign markets without neglecting the domestic market, the ELETAEN chief pointed out.

Ladakakos stressed that the country’s energy strategy needs to focus on emission targets set for 2030 and beyond. He commended the Greek government for setting ambitious targets that place Greece at Europe’s renewable energy forefront.

The association’s chief noted that market players do not fear the renewable energy sector’s transition towards a new market model and RES auctions, but highlighted that careful steps need to be taken along the course towards the target model and, even more so, with the winter package.

Market officials have questioned whether a sufficient number of mature RES projects exist to meet new and ambitious RES auction terms requiring participants to submit bids for amounts exceeding the total capacities on offer by at least 80 percent if planned capacity amounts are to be offered. In other words, for every 100 MW offered, bids will need to amount to 180 MW.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis, who attended the ELETAEN event, noted that the wind energy sector will play a leading role in the country’s new energy mix.