Greece's revised NECP targets 81% of renewables in its power mix by 2030

The Ministry of Environment and Energy of Greece has released its revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which includes more ambitious wind and solar targets to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and eventually reach climate neutrality in 2050.

Under its revised NECP, Greece aims to raise the share of renewables in its power capacity to 81% by 2030 (up from 66% by 2030 in the 2019 NECP). Net GHG emissions (including LULUCF and removals) are expected to fall from nearly 75 MtCO₂eq in 2022 to zero in 2050, thanks to a sharp reduction in emissions from power generation and transports, increased LULUCF removals and the use of direct air capture to store CO₂.

The solar PV capacity should surge from the current 7 GW (2023) to 13.5 GW in 2030 (37% of the capacity) and to over 35 GW in 2050 (49% of the capacity). As well, onshore wind capacity should rise from 5.2 GW in 2023 to 8.9 GW in 2030 (24% of the capacity) and 13 GW in 2050 (18%), while 1.9 GW of offshore wind should be installed by 2030 (5%) and 11.8 GW by 2050 (16%). Lignite-fired capacity (1.3 GW in 2025) should be phased out before 2030 and fossil-fired capacity (mainly from gas) should only account for 9% of the installed capacity in 2050 (6.5 GW). Overall, renewables should account for nearly 81% of the power generation in 2030 and less than 3% in 2050.

In the building sector, renewables should cover 67% of energy consumption by 2030 (95% by 2050) and the share of heat pumps in residential and tertiary buildings should double between 2022 and 2030. Renewables should also reach 14% in transports in 2030 (91% in 2050). Renewable gas production should surge between 2025 and 2050, exceeding 400 ktoe for biomethane and nearing 1.8 Mtoe for hydrogen.