PPC Group has completed 2.13 GW of solar PV projects on former lignite mining sites in Western Macedonia, Greece
The cluster is expected to generate about 3,150 GWh per year, equal to nearly 6% of the country’s electricity consumption
It includes major projects, such as the 550 MW Phoebe plant and the 940 MW Amyntaio complex, developed with RWE
Public Power Corp (PPC) Group has completed the construction of 2.13 GW of solar PV installations on former lignite mine sites in Greece. This is the largest cluster of PV projects in Europe, according to the Greek electricity utility.
This capacity can generate 3,150 GWh annually, corresponding to nearly 6% of the country’s annual electricity consumption, it adds. In 2020, PPC Renewables secured administrative clearance to install large-scale solar with 1.9 GW of capacity (see PPC Renewables To Build 1.9 GW Solar On Lignite Sites).
Installed projects include the 550 MW Phoebe PV Plant near Pontokomi, with an estimated annual production of 880 GWh. Its output is equivalent to 1.8% of Greece’s interconnected system production.
It developed the 940 MW Amyntaio PV Complex in collaboration with Germany’s RWE. Located across the Rodonas, Filotas, Lakkia, and Perdikkas regions, it is expected to generate up to 1,500 GWh per year.
Other projects in the portfolio include the 200 MW (320 GWh) Helios Velos 1 near Ptolemaida, the 80 MW (122 GWh) Exochi 7, and the 80 MW (122 GWh) Akrini PV plants. Another 10 smaller PV plants complete the cluster.
“Western Macedonia in northern Greece is becoming the country's new green energy hub, hosting the largest photovoltaic cluster in Europe, developed on former lignite mine sites, alongside storage units that ensure optimal use of generated energy and contribute to system stability,” said Konstantinos Mavros, the Deputy CEO for RES of PPC Group.
PPC is also building large-scale energy storage systems (both electrochemical and hydro-based) to support utility-scale PV plants. It has already completed construction of 98 MW/196 MWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Ptolemaida and Meliti, located near the Kardia and Meliti power plants, respectively.
A 50 MW/200 MWh electrochemical energy storage station is coming up near the Amyntaio Power Plant, capable of supplying electricity to the grid for up to 4 hours.
Mavros added, “In a volatile geopolitical, economic, and energy environment, renewable energy sources constitute a high value domestic asset that ensures the country's energy independence.”