Greek solar producers have escalated their concerns to the European Union, filing formal complaints against national policies that they argue are crippling the country’s renewable energy growth. In a significant move, producers claim Greece’s rules on project “repowering” and prohibitively high costs for battery storage not only conflict with EU directives but also actively block necessary upgrades and hinder the nation’s energy transition.
Producers Challenge Greece’s Rules via EU petition for Greek solar
In a coordinated effort, 214 Greek solar producers, represented by the Thessaloniki-based industry association Pospief, have lodged two separate complaints with the European Commission. The petitions target what producers describe as obstructive national regulations concerning the upgrading of existing solar plants (repowering) and the deployment of essential battery storage systems. This formal challenge highlights a growing frustration within the industry, which you can follow in the latest Greece Solar News Archives.
The producers contend that these policies create unnecessary financial burdens and bureaucratic hurdles, effectively stalling progress and discouraging investment in the modernization of Greece’s solar infrastructure. The complaints ask the Commission to investigate these policies and compel Greece to align its national laws with broader EU principles designed to accelerate the green transition.
Producers Argue Restrictions Violate EU Law Concerning Greek solar EU petition
The core of the producers’ argument is that Greece’s regulations directly violate EU law and its ambitious renewable energy goals. The complaints detail two critical areas of concern.
First, the repowering complaint argues that Greece’s rules are punitive. When a solar plant is upgraded or reaches the end of its operational life, current policy forces it to re-enter the market as an entirely new project. This means operators lose access to existing support schemes and must undergo a full new permitting process, secure new grid connection offers, and provide new bank guarantees. Pospief argues this contradicts the EU’s goal of fast and simple repowering, creating a major disincentive for investors to upgrade aging facilities. This policy stands in stark contrast to the opportunities outlined by the EU Green Deal for solar in Greece.
Second, the complaint regarding energy storage highlights the “exceptionally high” performance bonds required for battery projects. Investors are reportedly required to provide guarantees of €200,000 per MW for transmission-connected projects and €50,000 per MW for those connected to the distribution grid. The producers claim these financial requirements, combined with slow grid connection processes, have effectively blocked the deployment of large-scale battery storage, a critical component for grid stability. Pospief notes that of a 900 MW tender, about 300 MW of awarded capacity remains unconnected to the grid, a clear sign of systemic barriers.
Blocked Upgrades Could Cost Greece GWs of Capacity, According to Greek solar EU petition
Repowering projects are vital for maximizing the output of existing renewable energy sites. This process involves upgrading installations, often by replacing older, less efficient panels with newer technology from a modern manufacturing process or by expanding the site’s capacity. These upgrades are one of the most efficient ways to boost a country’s renewable energy generation without needing new land.
The producers’ petition estimates that a favorable regulatory environment aligned with the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive could unlock an additional 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity by 2030. However, the current restrictive policies threaten to slash this potential by hundreds of megawatts. This lost capacity not only makes it harder for Greece to achieve its renewable energy targets but also increases the risk of energy curtailment, where perfectly good solar power is wasted because the grid cannot handle it. This situation threatens the financial viability of many impressive Greece solar projects and investors’ ability to service their loans.
The petition from Greek solar producers brings to light the critical tension between national regulations and overarching EU directives. While Greece has made strides, having achieved some solar targets ahead of schedule, these regulatory hurdles could jeopardize future progress. The outcome of the European Commission’s review will have profound implications for the future of solar energy and the broader energy transition in Greece.
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