• Greece cabinet has approved the draft National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 and put it up for public consultation
  • Under the plan, the country will increase its renewable energy share in the national energy mix to 35% by 2030 increasing from current target of 31%
  • Coal-fired power plants will be shut by 2028 and next year the government will come out with a roadmap for post-coal era
  • Post public comments and feedback on the plan it will be submitted to the European Commission by the end of 2019

Greece has committed itself to achieving a renewable energy share of 35% in its aggregate energy mix by 2030, up from 31% presently which is planned to come mainly from wind, solar and hydroelectric power plants. The Greek cabinet approved these and several other measures under its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2021-2030 to bring down its carbon footprint by more than 55% by the target year from 2005 levels and opened it for public consultation. EU member states have until the end of 2019 to submit their final NECPs to the European Commission as the region strives to reach a 32% renewable energy target by 2030.

Currently, Greece depends on oil and gas imports that represent 65% of its total energy consumption, stated Reuters. Chasing its fossil fuel reduction targets are expected to cost an investment of about €44 billion ($49 billion).

The individual share of wind, solar and hydro power in the 35% scenario is not known but it will be up from 15% recorded in 2016 and will need an investment of about €9 billion ($9.9 billion), reported Reuters. In line with the country’s pledge during the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019, Greece has firmly resolved to shut all its coal-fired power plants by 2028 (see Latin America Proposes 312 GW RE By 2030).

In mid-2020, the government will present a comprehensive master plan to guide its future in the post-coal era.

“The National Plan for Energy and Climate adopted today by the Council of Ministers is in public consultation and will be submitted to the European Commission by the end of the year, a text that fully reflects the government’s philosophy, not just energy , but also on the major issue of climate change,” said the country’s Minister of Environment and Energy (YPEKA), Kostis Hatzidakis.

Last date to submit comments and suggestions on the draft plan, available on the ministry’s website in Greek language, is December 16, 2019.