The government’s goal is before 2030 to have put into operation the first offshore wind farms in Greece, pointed out the Minister of Environment and Energy Theodore Skylakakis announcing tonight the opening of an event of the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (EDEYEP) for the presentation of the draft National Program for the development of offshore farms. According to the studies presented, in the first phase, the utilization of 25 areas can proceed for the installation of units with a total power of 12.4 gigawatts.

Mr. Skylakakis underlined that the development of offshore wind farms will make the country exportable, noting in particular the quality of the energy produced which is available for more hours a day compared to onshore ones.

He focused on the potential for the development of the industry (cables, bearing bases, wind turbines) but also on the country’s comparative advantages, which are the high wind potential and the network being developed to interconnect the islands, while noting that the procedures will proceed rapidly as the studies and licensing.

The Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Alexandra Sdoukou emphasized that offshore wind farms will decongest electrical space on land while bringing added value to industry, shipyards, creating jobs and creating new jobs.

The managing director of EDEYEP Aristophanes Stefatos stated that the development program was drawn up with the aim of minimizing conflicts with other uses (tourism, fishing, shipping) and the development areas were selected based on wind potential, sea depth and proximity to ADMIE networks . Based on these criteria, 19 areas were selected for the development of floating wind farms and 6 fixed sites.

The plan, which has already been submitted to the Department of Spatial Planning of the Ministry of Energy and Environment, pre-qualifies a pool of options from ten areas for development by 2030-2032, with a total capacity of approximately 4.9 GW, and mainly concern floating storage projects. The above areas do not include the sea area between Evros-Samothraki, which is defined as an area for the development of pilot projects.

More specifically, the eligible areas are:

In eastern Crete (St. Nikolaos), where it is estimated that projects with a total capacity of 800 MW will be developed.

In southern Rhodes, with the maximum installed capacity ranging between 300 MW and 550 MW.

In the central Aegean (Donoussa, Gyaros), with a maximum installed capacity between 200 MW and 450 MW.

On the Evia (Agioi Apostoloi) – Chios axis, with a maximum installed capacity of 300 MW.

In the Ionian Sea (Overseas Islands, Patraikos Gulf), with a maximum installed capacity of 450 MW.