Legal framework for increasing renewable energy in Greece
(Article by Mira Todorovic Symeonides, Partner, and Panagiota Maragkozoglou, Associate published in the Energy & Natural Resources Newsletter of the ILO on June 5, 2023)
Introduction
Over the past decade, Greece has made considerable efforts to achieve a green transition by increasing the number of renewable energy
system (RES) shares in its energy mix. According to a study conducted by Ernst & Young in 2022, referring to data of the same year,
Greece’s global ranking is:
Over the past decade, Greece has made considerable efforts to achieve a green transition by increasing the number of renewable energy
system (RES) shares in its energy mix. According to a study conducted by Ernst & Young in 2022, referring to data of the same year,
Greece’s global ranking is:
- 16th within the general index of attractiveness for RES investments; and
- second place when the index is related to each country’s gross domestic product.
Additionally, both its climate and geographical position render RES development favourable. In this context – taking into account the
general target set by the European Union by virtue of the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal and the Fit for 55, which aims to reduce EU
greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 – the Hellenic Republic has adopted a National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), providing a
roadmap for the achievement of these goals.
general target set by the European Union by virtue of the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal and the Fit for 55, which aims to reduce EU
greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 – the Hellenic Republic has adopted a National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), providing a
roadmap for the achievement of these goals.
Currently, the Greek NECP is under revision, aiming to achieve complete independence from fossil fuels.
Over the last couple of years, Greece has introduced signicant regulatory changes aiming to attract new investments in RES, electricity
storage and high eciency cogeneration of heat and power (HE CHP). The changes substantially amend the legal framework for
electricity as a whole. This includes adopting the rst National Climate Law(1) laws, amending the licensing procedure and regulating
electricity storage and offshore wind for the first time.
storage and high eciency cogeneration of heat and power (HE CHP). The changes substantially amend the legal framework for
electricity as a whole. This includes adopting the rst National Climate Law(1) laws, amending the licensing procedure and regulating
electricity storage and offshore wind for the first time.
The amendments particularly reflect:
- the authorities in charge for regulation, monitoring or licensing;
- simplifying the licensing procedure with aim of its simplication; and
- financing these projects through state aid
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