The wind power connected to the grid in the first half of 2023 approached 5GW. Specifically, 4,935.4 MW was the total wind power in Greece at the end of June. This results from the six-monthly Wind Energy Statistics in Greece announced by the Hellenic Wind Energy Association HWEA.
Based on the Statistics, during the first 6 months of 2023, 77 new wind turbines with a total output power of 252.5 MW were connected to the grid, corresponding to investments totaling more than 260 million euros. This is an increase of 5.4% compared to the end of 2022.
More new wind turbines were connected to the grid in the first half of 2023 than in all of 2022. The acceleration in growth is due to the gradual completion of major wind investments thanks to the efforts of business, academia and wind energy professionals in Greece.
Planned investments
At the end of H1 2023, over 600 MW of new wind farms were under construction or contracted, the vast majority of which are expected to be connected to the grid within the next 12 months.
Another 450 MW are in the certification phase or are about to start construction. To these must be added another 400MW that have been selected in tenders, have submitted good performance guarantees but do not belong to any of the above categories. As a result the total wind capacity will approach 6.5 GW within the next three years.
Of course, if years of bureaucratic and other problems are overcome, this power can be even greater, according to HWEA.
Geographical distribution
At the level of Regions, Central Greece remains at the top of wind installations since it hosts 2,110 MW (43%), followed by Peloponnese with 639 MW (13%) and Eastern Macedonia – Thrace where there are 534 MW (11%).
The investors
As far as business groups are concerned, the Top-5 are:
- TERNA Energy with 930 MW (18.9%)
- MORE with 706 MW (14.3%)
- Iberdrola Rokas with 409 MW (8.3%)
- ENEL Green Power with 368 MW (7.5%) and
- EREN with 250 MW (5.1%)
- They are followed by EDF, the Mytileneos group, PPC Renewables, Jasper Energy, Cubico, HELENiQ Energy and others.
It is noted that all the figures mentioned above refer to wind power attributed to the grid.
Manufacturers
The picture for wind turbine manufacturers is as follows:
Vestas has supplied 46.6% of the total attributed wind power in Greece.
They are followed by Enercon with 25.5%, Siemens Gamesa with 16.7%, Nordex with 6.4% and GE Renewable Energy with 3.4%.
Smaller shares are held by EWT, Goldwind and Leitwind.
The projects of the competitions
During the period 2018-2021, wind farms with a total capacity of 1,426MW have been selected through the Regulatory Authority for Energy-RAE’s tenders. (These do not include the 166MW selected within 2022).
But mainly due to delays caused by bureaucratic obstacles, only 460.4 MW, i.e. 32%, had managed to operate at the end of the A’ half of 2023.
These delays are not without consequences. The compensation price of wind farms selected in tenders and not yet implemented is much lower than the cost of production from natural gas or lignite. These wind projects, with a total capacity of 1 GW, if completed on time, would have provided more cheap energy and permanent relief to Greek consumers and the national economy.
Latest News
Bank of Greece Governor Says EU will Retaliate to Trump’s Tarrifs
The Bank of Greece Governor defended the independence of central banks amid criticism from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had publicly commented on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel
September in Greece Winning Tourists Over from US, Germany
Tourists continue to visit Greece off-season into Sept. with the number of inbound travelers up by 6.6% and a 7.9% rise in travel receipts.
Bitcoin Surges Toward $100K Amid Pro-Crypto Optimism in US
According to Reuters, the cryptocurrency surged to an all-time high, briefly exceeding $96,898 during Asian trading hours.
Greek Driver Violations at a Touch of a Button
Traffic offences recorded in the last five years by Greece’s “Driver Behavior Control System” are now available on Gov.gr Wallet
Milan Tops List of Most Expensive Streets, Athens’ Ermou Holds Steady at 15th Place
In Athens, following Ermou Street is the southern suburb of Glyfada and Tsimiski Street in Thessaloniki.
New Gov.gr Service Enables Secure Reporting of Minor-Related Delinquency
It should also be noted that via the recently introduced initiative ‘Safe Youth’ application citizens have access to specially tailored informative material regarding the safety of children and adolescents
Thousands Strike in Athens Over Soaring Living Costs and Stagnant Wages
Inflation, particularly in food prices, has been crushing Greek households
Greece Overhauls Property Valuation System
Greece plans to launch a revamped property value registry in 2025 and overhaul the way objective values are calculated to enhance tax revenue and improve transparency.
Greece’s New Tax Bill Foresees Tax Relief Beyond Big Business
Tax relief measures in Greece are proposed for freelancers, property owners and farmers, along with 'big business'
Unions Call Nationwide Industrial Strike for Wed.
Mass transits are usually affected, especially in the greater Athens-Piraeus area, although bus and metro services are curtailed but not fully halted