The Greek state energy licensing authority, HEREMA, recently unveiled an ambitious plan for the development of offshorewind energy in Greece. The project, entitled Programme National de Développement de l’Éolien Offshore, aims to create up to 4.9 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power capacity.
Ambitious national targets for wind power in Greece
The program defines 25 offshore zones covering some 2,700 square kilometers, with an estimated minimum capacity of 12.4 GW. As part of this ambitious project, ten areas have already been submitted to the Spatial Planning Department of the Ministry of Energy and Environment for medium-term development, with the aim of achieving the national target of 2 GW by 2030.
HEREMA’s major involvement in offshore wind development
Other projects totalling 7 GW are also planned for the longer term. The initiative was welcomed by the Minister of Energy and the Environment, Thodoros Skylakakis, who stressed its importance for the country’s energy independence. He said, “The development of these projects is a national priority not only because it will make a decisive contribution to our energy independence, but also because it will enable us to export green energy in the future.”
Areas eligible for wind power development in Greece
The Minister also highlighted the opportunities for economic growth that this initiative could unlock, with potential investments of several billion euros.
To oversee the awarding of offshore concessions, HEREMA will play a key role in implementing this ambitious plan. HEREMA CEO Aristofanis Stefatos expressed his determination to create the right framework for the rapid development of this new sector.
Greece aims to increase its wind power capacity to 7 GW by 2030
Areas eligible for development by 2030-2032 include Eastern Crete (800 MW), Southern Rhodes (up to 550 MW), the Central Aegean (up to 450 MW), Evia-Chios (300 MW), as well as 450 MW in the Ionian Sea, according to the HEREMA press release. What’s more, the Evros-Samothraki region (600 MW) had already been selected as an area for a pilot project.
Greece has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to increase total wind power capacity to over 7 GW by 2030. The country is also striving to achieve a 35% share of renewable energies in final energy consumption, with currently installed onshore wind power capacity approaching 5 GW.
