European countries are gradually turning to renewable energy sources due to the climate goals set by the EU. for the coming decades. Greece continues to take important steps in this direction. In this context, the country wants to double the potential of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030.

As the German News Network (RND) reports, the wind turbines that Greece has “are all located on land and the best land sites are occupied”. That is why the country is now turning towards the sea. “Without offshore wind farms that will allow the production of electricity in areas where the winds are stronger and more frequent, Greece will hardly be able to realize its climate goals.”

The first offshore wind turbines they could be operational as early as 2028. “By 2030 the country wants to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990. In addition, by 2030 it is expected 80% of electricity consumption to be covered by solar, wind and hydropower”, writes the German media.

However, “there are technical, political and ecological limits” in the possibilities of realizing the country’s energy ambitions. As the energy expert Giorgos Stamtsis tells RND, “a peculiarity of the Aegean is the great depth of the waters”, which means that floating wind turbines will be needed. But the relevant technology is not yet fully developed, while the cost of floating wind turbines is significantly higher.

Furthermore, regarding the determination of the marine areas where the wind turbines will be built, the RND emphasizes that “There are many factors at play, including political ones: Greece is in conflict with Turkey regarding the definition of economic zones in the Aegean. That is why maritime areas outside the Greek six-mile zone are excluded from the start. Furthermore, the interests of shipping, the protection of the natural landscape and tourism must also be taken into account. The wind turbines should visually affect the island panorama of the Aegean, which attracts millions of vacationers annually, as little as possible.”

Offshore wind farms will be built near Crete, Rhodes, Evia, Corfu and the Gulf of Patras. In the first phase by 2030, investments of 6 billion euros are expected.