Greek EPC services provider METKA EGN is the winner of a 200 MW solar PV tender launched by PPC Renewables in Greece. This was the 3rd and largest section of a 230 MW solar energy complex PPC Renewables is planning as its 'most ambitious' project to date in Western Macedonia region.
According to a report in the EnergyPress, the other 2 sections of the complex will have 15 MW capacity each and both are at an advanced level of being implemented. The 200 MW won by METKA EGN is expected to have 'swift development' as the report claims PPC Renewables has secured financing from a group of Greek banks for the 3rd section.
The report further claims the 200 MW project will be equipped with bifacial solar panels and trackers, and it will enter construction in March 2021.
The renewable energy arm of the national utility Public Power Corporation (PPC), PPC Renewables was reported by local media in December 2020 to be in possession of producer certificates from the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) to build 1.9 GW solar PV capacity in the lignite mining region of Western Macedonia out of which some licenses may be used to build solar PV and wind power projects under its cooperation with Germany's RWE (see PPC Renewables To Build 1.9 GW Solar On Lignite Sites).
PPC Renewables is currently deliberating on choosing the winner for a 50 MW PV tender out of 8 contenders which will be realized as 2 projects of 39 MW and 11 MW in Megalopolis municipality (see 8 Companies Offer To Build 50 MW Greek Solar Plant).
Solar PV gaining ground in Greece
Greece is emerging as a new solar PV hotspot with several new projects planned in the country. On December 23, 2020, RAE said it received 1,864 applications to secure project licenses representing 45.55 GW renewables and high efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Of this capacity, applications for solar PV made up 79.8% or 36.3 GW capacity. This deluge was mainly due to submissions made through an electronic system. RAE will assess the applications and issue producer certificates.
Late in December 2020, the Greek government's Ministerial Committee for Strategic Investments approved 4 new renewable energy investment projects to be built in the country for €2.02 billion ($2.5 billion), representing an aggregate capacity of 2,810.3 MW. These include Egnatia Group's 1.5 GW PV capacity to come up in Central and Northern Greece for €888 million ($1.09 billion), and Karatzis SA's 37 PV projects adding up to 870 MW in Larissa, Magnesia and Kilkis region for €421.6 million ($517 million). The remaining 2 investment projects relate to wind energy development.
Recently, RAE launched the 3rd joint wind and solar PV auction of the country offering 350 MW renewable energy capacity to be won (see Greece Announces 350 MW Wind & Solar PV Tender).