“Socially just” support mechanisms for the promotion of renewable energy sources in Greece

Although development of renewable energy sources (RES) projects is essential for the Greek national economy to revive, cut downs of public spends in Greece may equally well extend to affect RES support mechanisms. In this context, an integrated cost–benefit analysis is currently undertaken concerning RES investments in the Greek electricity sector. More specifically, social support compared with financial benefits accruing from such energy stations reveals hidden imbalances that urge for the reform of the current support status. Examination of representative case studies currently provided considers the three most widespread RES, i.e. wind energy, hydropower and solar energy, with special emphasis given on the determination of break-even feed-in-tariffs (FITs) and the comparison of life-cycle electricity production cost between RES and conventional power stations.