Electricity in Greece in 2024
In Greece, electricity consumption is nearly evenly divided between fossil and low-carbon sources, with fossil energy making up a bit more than half, accounting for approximately 50% of the electricity supply. Gas is the predominant fossil fuel, contributing almost 38%, while coal represents a smaller share of around 6%. On the clean energy front, low-carbon sources provide nearly half of Greece's electricity, with wind and solar each supplying more than a fifth. Wind energy generates about 22%, and solar energy is close behind at 21%. Hydropower contributes a modest 5%, while biofuels supply just above 1%, offering a primarily supportive role in the clean energy mix. This composition highlights the ongoing transition toward greener sources while demonstrating significant reliance on gas.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Greece can continue to expand its wind and solar energy infrastructure, as these technologies already play a significant role in its energy landscape. By enhancing these sectors, Greece can move closer to achieving a majority low-carbon electricity share. Additionally, Greece could look to countries like Denmark, where wind power constitutes over half of the electricity. Learning from such success stories can provide valuable insights into technology deployment strategies and the scaling of renewable capacities. Moreover, Greece stands to benefit from the experiences of countries like Bulgaria and Slovakia with their significant reliance on nuclear energy. Embracing nuclear energy could serve as a powerful complement to its wind and solar ambitions, offering a steady and reliable green power supply that ensures energy security and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
History
Over the years, Greece's journey toward low-carbon electricity has seen notable developments, particularly in the realm of solar and wind energy. Early in the 2010s, solar power began to emerge, with a noticeable jump in 2013 when generation increased by 2 TWh. This upward trend continued into the 2020s, with solar energy achieving a significant boost of 3.4 TWh in 2024. Wind energy also saw remarkable growth beginning in 2020, with a notable increase of 2 TWh, with a continued rise in 2024. Hydropower, on the other hand, has experienced fluctuations over the years. While there were periods of growth, such as the rise in 2021 by 2.6 TWh, it faced declines in certain years, reflecting the variability of water flow and perhaps climate influences. These dynamics underscore the significance of diversifying energy sources to achieve a resilient and low-carbon electricity mix.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.