Increase in demand for electricity on the islands in the coming years at a rate higher than in the interconnected system, due to the development of tourism and the economy, the Network Operator predicts (DEDDEE) according to the network development program in the non-interconnected islands for the period 2023-2029.

The increased demand will be covered, according to the planning, in the short term with generators and on a permanent basis with the gradual interconnection of the islands, which among other things allows the further development of renewable energy sources on the islands.

DEDDIE’s forecasts indicate that electricity demand on the non-interconnected islands will continue to grow in the coming years at a higher rate compared to the interconnected system, while the increase in the peak, i.e. the maximum demand that occurs in the summer due to tourism, is even greater .

According to the relevant data, the highest demand growth in the decade 2018-2028 is expected to be shown by Maximum (+54 %), h Gavdos (+40.5 %) and the Antikythera (+40.1 %), while larger islands follow with high percentages (indicative: Kythnos +39%, Ikaria +24%, Amorgos +16.6%, Chios 14.5 %).

The corresponding ADMIE study for the interconnected system estimates for the same period (2018-2028) an increase in electricity consumption by 15%, although the figures are not completely comparable given that the consumption of the islands interconnected with this.

The ten-year program of the ADMIE envisages the interconnection of all the islands by the end of the decade with the exception of some very small ones that will remain autonomous.

The interconnection of the Cyclades (Andros, Syros, Paros, Antiparos, Mykonos, Delos, Naxos, Ios, Sikinos and Folegandros, Schinoussa, Heraklia and Koufonissi).

By 2025 they will be connected western Cyclades (Milos, Serifos, Kythnos) and Santorini and until 2029 the islands of North Aegean and Dodecanese. Also, the small interconnection of Crete via Peloponnese has been completed since 2021, while the large one (Heraklion – Attica) is expected in 2024.

As far as the summer of 2023 is concerned, the planning of DEDDIE foresees the coverage of the electricity supply needs and the required reserve, while generators (power generating pairs) are added to the islands where the local production potential is insufficient.

The general rule is to ensure the required power that allows the continuation of the electricity supply in the event that the largest of the production units of each island is put out of operation. In addition, in the islands with high demand and tourist traffic, where in the previous period there were simultaneous failures in more than one unit, as a result of which in some cases the marginal security of the electricity supply was examined, the possibility of covering the expected peak demand and the reserve of the two largest units was examined , from the existing production potential.

These are the Electric Systems of Rhodes, Lesvos, Kos-Kalymnos, Chios, Thira and Samos.