Greece’s Renewable Energy Capacity Reaches 13.47 GW, Driven by Solar Growth

Greece’s renewable energy capacity reaches 13.47 GW, led by solar power growth. Learn about new installations, battery integration, and trends in wind and solar projects.

Greece’s renewable energy capacity has seen steady growth, with the country reaching a total installed capacity of 13.47 GW as of July 2024. According to the Renewable Energy Sources Operator and Guarantees of Origin (DAPEEP), solar power continues to lead the renewable energy sector, accounting for 7.57 GW of the total capacity, while wind farms contribute 5.2 GW.

Minor Additions in Non-Solar Renewable Energy

Other renewable energy sources experienced only slight growth in July. The wind energy segment expanded by 2.6 MW, while biomass added 3 MW, and cogeneration increased by 0.6 MW. Despite these modest gains, solar power remains the dominant force in Greece’s renewable energy landscape.

Solar Installations and Battery Integration

At the Solarplaza Summit in Athens, Stelios Psomas, an advisor to the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO), highlighted significant developments in solar power. During the first half of 2024, new residential solar installations reached 58.6 MW, a significant rise from 14.4 MW in the same period of 2023. Utility-scale solar plants also saw remarkable growth, with 580.1 MW added, compared to just 121.5 MW in the previous year.

Interestingly, over 58% of residential solar units installed through June 2024 included battery storage, reflecting a shift towards energy independence and storage solutions.

Challenges in Smaller Solar Projects

While utility-scale projects thrived, there was a noticeable decline in the installation of mid-sized solar projects (10.8 kW to 1 MW). The capacity of such projects dropped from 504.8 MW in 2023 to 281.9 MW in 2024, indicating a slowdown in this category.