The evolution of renewable energy sources in the electricity sector of Greece

• The pace of RES projects' advancement in Greece puts in question the achievement of the country's EU 2020 target.
• RES installations are mainly targeted upon specific technologies and are unevenly allocated within the country.
• RES further development in Greece is mainly deterred by bureaucratic barriers and low levels of public support.
• Greece’s attractiveness in RES offers unique investment opportunities.

This study assesses the status of renewable energy sources (RES) penetration in the electricity sector of Greece. Methodologically, we approach the topic by identifying the actual advancement of projects, from the date of initial licensing to the initiation of operational phase. Next, we investigate the institutional and social barriers for their further development. The evidence provided here records that throughout the previous decade RES penetration in the focal economy has been dramatically slow, since a considerable 87.6% of installations acquired production license in the period between 2001 and 2005, out of which a substantial 44.6% in 2001. We further show that an overwhelming portion of RES projects is targeted upon specific technologies and that RES installations are unevenly allocated among the different administrative Prefectures of the country. In this context, our trajectory indicates that the EU 2020 target which calls for a share of 18% of RES in final energy consumption is in question, unless bureaucratic barriers are removed, public acceptance is increased and a coherent national strategy aiming at the further development and competitiveness of the private sector will be consistently implemented.