
Greece is working hard to green its energy mix, with renewable energy generation already covering over half of the country’s electricity production on many days. But success has brought new challenges — especially when clean energy supply exceeds demand. Over the March 25 holiday weekend, Greece narrowly avoided blackouts, offering a glimpse into the complex balancing act behind the country’s energy transition.
Greece’s electricity system is managed by two main operators called IPTO (ADMIE), responsible for the high-voltage transmission network, and HEDNO (DEDDIE), which handles distribution to homes and businesses.
Both are navigating an increasingly tricky task: ensuring grid stability while integrating rapidly expanding solar and wind capacity, often in real-time and with limited storage.
Over the Greek Independence Day holiday weekend, cloudy skies and African dust acted as an unexpected safeguard. They dimmed solar output at exactly the right time — when energy demand was low — preventing the oversupply that can destabilize the system.
Why Oversupply Is a Problem
But based on Greece’s weather patterns in the spring, this temporary relief won’t last. With Easter approaching, grid managers are preparing for a more serious test. If the weather is clear, solar and wind output could overwhelm the system during a period of traditionally low demand.
On March 26, Vice President of the national energy regulator RAAEY — met with IPTO and HEDNO to prepare for the Easter holiday, when grid stress may peak. The challenge at hand is how to handle the possible overproduction of up to 5.3 GW of renewable electricity.
In spring and autumn, Greece’s abundant sunlight and wind coincide with mild temperatures — meaning energy demand drops just as renewable generation spikes. Without grid-scale batteries or demand-side flexibility, this creates instability.
The solution? Curtailing (cutting back) renewable output. But curtailment isn’t simple — or popular. Many solar plants lack remote shutdown capabilities. About 3.5 GW of solar projects connected to HEDNO’s network must be shut down manually by owners when asked. To ensure compliance, Greece has previously announced that it plans to impose fines: €500 per MWh, rising to €1,500 for repeated failures.
Last Easter, Greece averted disaster by exporting electricity to neighboring countries. But this year, Catholic and Orthodox Easter coincide, meaning nearby markets may also have energy gluts and less appetite for imports. That limits Greece’s ability to offload excess power.
There are also gaps in the legal framework. A proposed regulation to redistribute subsidies more fairly among renewable producers affected by curtailments is still under public consultation. And a legal provision protecting system operators from lawsuits over emergency shutdowns was drafted but never advanced to Parliament.
Greece’s efforts reflect a broader challenge seen across Europe: how to build a renewable-powered grid that is not only clean but also resilient and flexible. As more solar and wind come online, especially without adequate storage or smart grid tools, countries like Greece are facing difficult trade-offs between clean energy expansion and system stability.
Source: Tovima.com


Latest News

Ellinikon Redevelopment Advances: Key Projects on Track
Spanning 17,000 square meters, the shopping center has already leased out 75% of its space, with an average rental price of 85 euros per square meter.

Aid Arrives as Myanmar Struggles with Earthquake Aftermath
Aid is starting to arrive after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake which struck central Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread devastation and claiming over 1,000 lives.

Over 60% Greeks Own a First Home, 39% a 2nd Home: European Report
The responses from 20,000 European adults who participated in the “RE/MAX European Housing Trend Report 2024,” conducted by Opinium Research for RE/MAX Europe, highlight the evolving expectations for residential spaces

Europe’s Economic Outlook Brightens, But Caution Remains, Says Citigroup
Citi forecasts a slight increase in growth from 0.8% in 2024 to 1% this year, with further acceleration slightly above potential in 2026-27.

Greece Fast-Tracks Chevron’s Offshore Entry, Eyes Third Player
Chevron has formally expressed interest in the offshore area "South of the Peloponnese" and, as of March 26, also for blocks "South of Crete I" and "South of Crete II."

‘MEGA NEWS’ – MEGA’s New 24-Hour Channel Debuts March 31
MEGA NEWS will be available via MEGA Play, the website www.megatv.com, and from May 1 on COSMOTE TV

Tax Debt in Greece Surpasses €110 Billion, 23% is Uncollectable
Over 70% of Greece's tax debt is owed by just 9,830 taxpayers, which are mostly large companies.

Goldman Sachs Maintains ‘Buy’ for PPC
The multinational investment bank and financial services company estimates PPC’s financial results were in line with expectations, with the American investment firm highlighting positive surprises in the execution of the company’s business plan.

Piraeus: Former Tobacco Factory to Become Vibrant Mixed-Use Hub
The development will feature 408 fully furnished apartments ranging from 44 to 69 square meters, including open-plan studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments.

Mitsotakis Announces Salary Increases for Armed Forces & Reaffirms Stance on Ukraine
From Paris, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced new salary increases for uniformed personnel