Latest
The 550MW Phoebe project is the largest single facility in the portfolio. Image: PPC Group.
Greek Utility PPC Group has completed construction of a 2.13GW solar PV portfolio in northern Greece, which it described as “the largest cluster of photovoltaic projects in Europe”.
The portfolio sits on former lignite mines and consists of 14 projects, the capacity of which will account for 6% of Greece’s total annual electricity consumption. The largest single project in the portfolio is the 550MW Phoebe plant near the village of Pontokomi; the portfolio also consists of the 940MW Amyntaio photovoltaic complex, which covers four villages in the area, and was developed in tandem with German energy company RWE.
This article requires Premium Subscription Basic (FREE) Subscription
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Try Premium for just $1
Full premium access for the first month at only $1
Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
Expert industry analysis and interviews
Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
Exclusive event discounts
Or continue reading this article for free
The utility has also invested in battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the region, with PPC describing the technology as “the next step” in its development of the area. The utility already operates 98MW/196MWh of batteries in Western Macedonia, and has started construction at a 50MW/200MWh battery facility at the Amyntaio complex, at which it expects to begin commercial operations “in the coming months”. The utility has also secured regulatory approval for two pumped storage units.
“Western Macedonia in northern Greece is becoming the country’s new green energy hub, hosting the largest photovoltaic cluster in Europe, developed on former lignite mine sites, alongside storage units that ensure optimal use of generated energy and contribute to system stability,” said PPC Group deputy CEO for RES Konstantinos Mavros.
Mavros added that the contribution of thermal energy to Greece’s energy mix has fallen from 67% in 2019 to 50% today, and the country’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) aims for this share to decrease further.
The NECP aims for renewable energy to account for 81% of the country’s electricity capacity by the end of the decade, with operational solar PV capacity expected to almost double between 7GW in operation in 2023 to 13.5GW in operation by 2030. Should Greece realise this target, solar PV will account for 37% of total energy capacity.
Leaders in the European solar sector are turning their attention to this year’s SolarPlus Europe event, to be held in Italy on 15-16 April by PV Tech publisher Solar Media. Information about the event, including the full agenda and options to purchase tickets are available on the official website.
Understanding PV module supply to the European market in 2027. PV ModuleTech Europe 2026 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of module supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, traceability of supply-chain, factory auditing, module testing and reliability, and company bankability.
Read Next
Federal permitting delays have held up 11GW of new renewable energy deployment in the US in the last year alone, according to Crux.
According to Ember, solar-plus-storage could supply up to 90% of India’s electricity demand at a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) of INR5.06/kWh (US$56/MWh).
LONGi has launched its solar-plus-storage strategy, LONGi One, marking a shift from traditional multi-vendor system architectures to a fully integrated design approach.
Pan-African developer Axian Energy has reached financial close on what it is billing as West Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project.
R.Power’s Michał Swół speaks to PV Tech Premium about Germany’s position as a leader in Europe’s renewable energy auction space.
The German Federal Network Agency has awarded 155MW of rooftop solar of 283MW of available capacity in its latest tender.
Most Read
Upcoming Events
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
https://www.pv-tech.org/ppc-group-completes-construction-2-1gw-greek-solar-pv-portfolio/
