Greek renewables fully cover power demand for first time on record

Holding Admie Ipto SA

10/10/2022 13:57

ATHENS, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Power generation from
renewables fully covered Greece's electricity demand over a few
hours last week, for the first time in the history of the
country's electricity system, its independent power transmission
operator IPTO said. 
    IPTO said on Monday that renewables accounted for 100% of
the power generation for at least five hours last Friday,
reaching a record high of 3,106 megawatt hours at 0800 GMT.
    Like other European countries, Greece has cut its reliance
on Russian gas following the war in Ukraine by increasing
liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. It has also boosted coal
mining, pushing back its decarbonisation plan.
    The share of Greek renewables from solar, wind and hydro
stood at 46% of the country's power mix in the eight months to
August this year, from 42% in the same period in 2021, according
to Greece-based environmental think-tank The Green Tank.
    "Record of optimism for the country's transition to clean
energy, weaning off fossil fuels & ensuring our energy
sufficiency," Green Tank tweeted.
    Greece aims to attract about 30 billion of euros in European
funds and private investments to upgrade its electricity grid
and more than double its green energy capacity to account for at
least 70% of its energy mix by 2030.
    It plans to have 25 gigawatt of installed renewable energy
capacity from about 10 gigawatt now but analysts say Athens
might reach that target sooner.
    IPTO has been investing in expanding the country's power
grid to boost power capacity and facilitate the penetration of
solar, wind and hydroelectric energy.
 (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; editing by David Evans)
 ((angeliki.koutantou@thomsonreuters.com; +30 2102214608;
Reuters Messaging: angeliki.koutantou.reuters.com@reuters.net))