Greece Avoids Blackout Amidst Renewable Energy Surplus During Easter

During the recent Easter holidays, Greece successfully navigated a significant challenge posed by an overproduction of electricity, primarily driven by a surge in renewable energy sources (RES) and a concurrent dip in demand. This surplus, estimated at 3-4 gigawatts, presented a considerable risk of grid instability and potential blackouts.

However, through swift and coordinated efforts involving key energy stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), and the Regulatory Authority for Energy, these risks were effectively mitigated. Measures such as curtailing RES production, managing exports, and activating pumped-storage hydroelectric plants were crucial in maintaining grid balance.

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With the creation of two new Control Centers, in just one year, HEDNO moved from an environment of limited remote management and fragmented intervention to a regime of extensive remote supervision, direct remote control, and the application of targeted, proportional cuts in real-time.

A key factor in this successful management was the significant enhancement of HEDNO's remote control capabilities for RES. Compared to previous years, HEDNO can now centrally manage a much larger capacity of RES, allowing for real-time, targeted interventions. This technological advancement, coupled with institutional reforms fostering a more competitive market environment, ensures the stable operation of the electricity system and reduces the reliance on drastic curtailment measures. The successful operation of two new energy storage stations also contributed to managing the surplus, marking a positive step towards a more resilient and flexible energy grid in Greece.

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Beyond the technological and operational maturity of HEDNO's control infrastructure, a broader competitive environment is now being shaped through institutional interventions, which contributes to limiting the need for curtailments by the Operators.