Greece saw its cumulative operational solar PV capacity exceeing 4.126 GW at the end of last year with the addition of 838 MW brought online in the year 2021, according to the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (Helapco).
It claims solar PV installed more MWs in 2021 compared to any other power generating technology thanks to an increasing interest in it that refuses to subside.
Of the 838 MW, 454 MW capacity was ready to be connected by 2020 but electrified in 2021. Similarly, as Helapco points out, an additional 370 MW had a 'declaration' of readiness in 2021 but will be electrified in 2022.
Earlier Helapco had said Greece installed 913 MW new solar PV capacity in 2020, but only 459 MW could be grid connected while 453.8 MW was to be grid connected in 2021 (see 913 MW New Solar PV Capacity In 2022 In Greece).
The number of prosumers continues to improve in the market as 38 MW capacity was realized in 2021 with 98% coming up in the commercial segment and 2% in the domestic segment. The aggregate in this segment at the end of 2021 rose to 89 MW comprising 96% commercial and 4% residential share.
According to the association, in 2021 solar PV capacity generated 5.26 TWh or 9.2% of the national electricity demand which was about the same as lignite production.
Earlier speaking on Greek radio station SKAI, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas reflected on the energy situation in Europe in the wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine and high electricity prices, and called renewable energy sources as the 'only and permanent solution'.
According to Skrekas, Greece grid connected 1 GW renewable energy capacity in 2020, followed by 1.5 GW in 2021 and in 2022 he expects the country to exceed the 2 GW mark as the government targets to raise the share of renewables in its total electricity consumption to 70% by 2030.