Greece is in a privileged position when it comes to natural resources for renewable energies. With abundant sunlight and consistent winds, the country has considerable potential for clean and sustainable energy generation. However, despite these obvious natural advantages, there are still challenges to be overcome to fully exploit this renewable potential.

These challenges were highlighted by experts participating in the second edition of Energyear Greece. From grid connection issues to energy storage development, various areas requiring attention and strategic action were identified to enable optimal utilization of the country's renewable resources.

At the opening of the event, just before all these challenges were thoroughly discussed, Aristotelis Aivaliotis, Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, provided a reassuring message to promoters. Aivaliotis assured that the government is firmly committed to addressing the difficulties facing the energy sector. His statement comes at a time of uncertainty and expectation, where industry stakeholders await concrete measures to drive the development of renewable energies in Greece.

The Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Environment and Energy highlighted that, in the face of the regulatory framework, the government is fully aware of the need to take decisive action. Currently, Greece hosts numerous renewable energy projects eagerly awaiting connection to the electricity grid. To address this challenge, investment plans in grid infrastructure were mentioned. Moreover, it was emphasized that Greece, despite having abundant energy resources, is not a major energy consumer.

In this context, one of the country's clear objectives is to become a leading exporter of green energy. To achieve this ambitious goal, the government is working on long-term infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a cable connecting Greece to Egypt by 2030, as well as other cables linking the Greek islands to Europe and connecting the country to Israel and Cyprus. Additionally, it was stressed that Greece is a bankable country and a call was made to investors to trust in a country offering a stable and favourable investment environment.

Finally, he put numbers to the government's key objectives, which include the ambitious goal of reaching 5.1 GW of energy storage by 2030, as well as transforming the energy mix with an impressive 80% coming from renewable sources. Detailed objectives include the installation of 16 GW of solar capacity, 9 GW of onshore wind, and 4.5 GW of offshore wind, also by 2030.

Reactions and Calls from the Sector

However, the day was also marked by a change in tone when experts at the event took the floor. In an energetic call, they urged authorities to act swiftly and provide clear points on future policies and regulations. These voices emphasized the urgent need for a clear and stable framework to continue investing in Greece as a destination for renewable energy investment. Their message resonated strongly among participants, underlining the importance of decisive and coordinated action to drive sustainable sector growth in the country.

Ypatios Moysiadis, Managing Partner of Wattcrop, expressed a strong vision of the current situation in the Greek energy market. Moysiadis emphasized the significant transformation the market is undergoing and pointed out that, despite this change, the necessary reforms have not materialized after two decades of request. For investors, visibility is an absolute priority.

The Managing Partner of Wattcrop stressed the urgent need for greater transparency. It was emphasized that financial uncertainty associated with the lack of security and transparency is a significant obstacle to project development. Additionally, it was highlighted the importance of promoters having access to clear and precise information to make informed decisions and advance their initiatives in the Greek energy market.

Nikos Giannoulis, Head of Project Development in Greece at SENS ENERGY, shared his perspective on the sector's key needs. Giannoulis emphasized the importance of long-term stability and the need for a clear strategy for the future. He pointed out that the current regulatory framework is not ideal, especially regarding connection permits.

Giorgio Inforzato, Regional Manager EU South at Meteocontrol, shared a unique perspective. He emphasizes Greece's significance in terms of project hybridization with batteries and grid interconnection, aiming to establish a Mediterranean hub connecting Italy, and others Mediterranean countries. However, he also underscores the importance of addressing pending tasks, particularly in agrovoltaics, and accelerating and strengthening the grid infrastructure.

In addition to the challenges presented by the regulatory framework and infrastructure, experts also acknowledged during the day the importance of addressing emerging technological advances. Epistimi Oikonomopoulou, Senior Associate at Clifford Chance, highlighted the need to establish clear strategies for technologies such as storage and green hydrogen. It was pointed out the lack of an established strategy and the significant gap between Greece and other European countries in this area. The lack of adequate information and guidance is a significant obstacle to project development, especially in the field of hydrogen.

Despite the challenges presented and discussed during the day, Greece's energy sector maintains a sense of optimism for the future. While there are obstacles to overcome, the determination and commitment of key stakeholders, both in government and industry, suggest that proactive measures are being taken to address these challenges. With a renewed focus on innovation, collaboration, and adaptation to technological advancements, Greece's energy sector is well-positioned to transform current challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth and long-term development.