Policies in Greece

One of the most crucial distinction with regard to RES in Greece is between mainland grid and interconnected islands and non-interconnected islands. Interconnected islands are primarily islands that are connected to the mainland transmission and distribution grid. Non-interconnected islands concern isolated electricity systems, not connected to the mainland grid. This differentiation is crucial as it differentiates the kind and level of support, for which RES plants are eligible.
In general, RES technologies are promoted with different support schemes. Firstly, Law No. 4399/2016 supports through subsidies/ tax reliefs for specific RES technologies. A Feed-in Tariff is offered to small-scale RES (below 400 kW on interconnected islands, below 3MW for onshore wind and below 500 kW for PV and all RES on non-interconnected islands). In addition, RES on interconnected islands that participate in the electricity market may benefit from a Feed-In Premium tariff, while bigger PV (>500kW) and onshore wind plants (> 3MW) can take part in tenders. Finally, a net-metering scheme is also introduced for all RES plants, especially PV and onshore wind < 60kW.
According to the NECP, Greece aims at increasing the overall share of renewable energy sources (RES) in its gross final energy consumption to 35% by 2030. In the electricity sector, the share of renewables will rise to at least 60% (NECP).

• Subsidy (Development Law) – Subsidy is offered to small hydro power plants, CHP plants, hybrid plants and other RES only for autonomous production.
• Tax regulation mechanism (Development Law) - Tax relief is offered to small hydro power plants, CHP plants, hybrid plants and other RES only for autonomous production.
• Feed-in tariff - RES plants below 400 kW on interconnected islands and all RES on non-interconnected islands are eligible for a Feed-In Tariff
• Premium tariff (Feed-In Premium) - RES and CHP plants on interconnected islands participate in the electricity market and may be awarded with a sliding feed-in premium.
• Tenders / Auctions (Competitive PV/Wind Tenders) - Greece carries out “technology-specific tenders” (for wind and PV plants jointly or separately) since 2016. From 2018 onwards, 2 tenders for each RES technology and one joint tender for both technologies have taken place.
• Net-Metering (Net-metering and virtual net-metering) - Net-metering is applicable to all RES plants since 2019. Additionally, non-profit legal entities are eligible for virtual net-metering. The net-metering process is similar to interconnected and non-interconnected islands. However, restrictions apply to both cases, with regard to the maximum capacity of each RES plant.

• MEE
• MinDev
• HEDNO

In general, RES technologies are promoted with different support schemes. Law No. 4399/2016 supports through subsidies/ tax reliefs for specific RES technologies. RES H&C infrastructure is also eligible for support. In addition, the Programme “Exsoikonomo- Autonomo” supports the purchase and installation of RES for the energy upgrading of the domestic sector through subsidies and/or an interest-free loan.
According to the NECP, Greece aims at increasing the overall share of RES H&C in its gross final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 (30.6% in 2020). This is expected to be achieved by the increased penetration of heat pumps, especially in the tertiary sector (from 431 ktoe in 2020 to 906 ktoe in 2030), a steadily increasing share of solar thermal (from 296 ktoe to 411 in 2030) and geothermal energy, as well as biomass (from 1,035 ktoe in 2020 to 1,142 ktoe in 2030).

• Subsidy (Programme “Exsoikonomo- Autonomo”) - The Programme provides subsidies and/or an interest-free loan to specific RES H&C technologies (geothermal, aerothermal heat pumps and biomass (pellets), solar thermal, solar water heaters and solar heating).
• Subsidy (Development Law) –subsidy is offered to CHP plants and other RES only for autonomous production.
• Tax regulation mechanism (Development Law)- tax relief is offered to CHP plants and other RES only for autonomous production.
• Support of RES-H infrastructure (Development Law)
• RES-H building obligations (KENAK) - minimum RES H&C requirements in existing and new buildings.

• MEE
• MinDev
• Technical Chamber of Greece

The Programme “Kinoumai Ilektrika” subsidises the purchase of EVs by different categories (natural persons, enterprises, taxi owners). In addition, the production of biofuels is eligible for subsidy or tax relief under Law No.4399/2016. Apart from that, a biofuel quota scheme is in place. However, it is not applicable to islands (both interconnected and non-interconnected).
According to NECP, Greece aims at increasing its RES share in final consumption for transport from 6.6% in 2020 to 19% in 2030. Biofuels are expected to increase from 228 ktoe in 2020 to 371 ktoe in 2030 and Electricity from 5 ktoe to 94 ktoe respectively.

• Subsidy (Min. Decision 77472/520) – The Programme “Kinoumai Ilektrikia” promotes e-mobility through the provision of subsidies
• Subsidy (Development Law) - Biofuels production can be promoted through subsidies, according to Law No.4399/2016.
• Tax regulation mechanism (Development Law) - Biofuels production can be promoted through tax relief, according to Law No.4399/2016.
• Biofuel Quota (Law No. 3054/2002) - Producers and distributors of petrol and diesel are obliged to blend their fuels with a certain amount ("quota") of biofuels. For that reason, a distribution call for biofuels is issued yearly that defines all necessary details.
• Support of RES-T infrastructure – charging for e-vehicles (Programme “Kinoumai Ilektrika”) - The Programme supports the installation of charging stations for personal vehicles.

• MEE
• MinDev