Greek power supply: Trying to avoid summer blackouts

The Acting Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Pantelis Kapros, is on the alert for the adequacy of the country’s electricity system ahead of summer.

That is why he convened a meeting yesterday, in which the administrations of Independent Power Transmission Operator-IPTO and Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator-HEDNO as well as the heads of the Waste Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (RAAEF) were invited to inform about whether all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the stability of the supply of country with electricity during the summer months.

Summertime

According to what was said, in the presence of the General Secretary of Energy Mrs. Alexandra Sdoukou, the summer is expected to be quiet on the “front” of energy sufficiency. First, an additional 1,610 MW (megawatts) of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) had been added to the electricity system by the beginning of the year, compared to last year.

At the same time, the water reserves in the reservoirs of PPC’s hydroelectric units, despite the dry winter, remain at satisfactory levels and can function as a reserve during the days of peak energy demand.

IPTO

And this is because IPTO properly managed the production of hydroelectric power, which in the first quarter of 2023 was reduced by 31% compared to the corresponding period of 2022, so that the reservoirs have sufficient water for the summer.

The lignite reserves for the operation of the lignite units are also satisfactory, while the new natural gas units of Mytilineos in Viotia (826 MW) and lignite units of PPC in Ptolemaida (660 MW) are already in trial operation and can be put into operation in the next period. commercial function,

Heat

Problems may arise only in the case of an extreme and prolonged heat wave (although to date climate forecasts do not confirm this) in which there will be an overconsumption of electricity due to the use of air conditioners or if a catastrophic fire breaks out that can cause damage to the network.

However, the adequacy problems, according to the System Operators, may be carried over into the coming winter, as the overconsumption of electricity in the summer may lead to the depletion of both lignite reserves and a drop in the water level in the reservoirs.