Greece achieves electricity trade surplus driven by renewable energy growth

Greece has achieved a significant shift in its electricity trade balance, moving from a 575 million euro deficit in 2023 to a 438 million euro surplus in the first half of 2026. This turnaround is primarily driven by the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources (RES).

Between 2019 and 2025, the installed capacity of solar and wind power nearly tripled. Solar capacity rose from approximately 2.6 GW in 2015 to 11.1 GW by 2025, while wind capacity increased from 2.1 GW to 5.7 GW. By the end of 2025, these two technologies were expected to approach 17 GW of installed capacity.

According to data presented by Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Nikos Tsafos to the Cabinet, Greece ranks third globally in solar penetration and ninth in wind penetration. Despite these gains, officials noted that the benefits of cheaper green energy have not yet fully reached end consumers. The government aims to reduce energy costs by 30% during the 2027-2029 period, which will require progress in electricity bills and improvements in energy storage infrastructure.