Greece implements new solar and energy storage regulations

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has implemented a new regulatory framework to facilitate energy self-consumption for households and businesses. A key feature of this reform is the introduction of 'plug-in' balcony solar systems with a maximum capacity of 800 Watts, allowing for simplified installation without the need for full rooftop setups or complex connection agreements.

The new rules also decouple energy storage from solar production, enabling consumers to install standalone battery systems. This allows users to take advantage of dynamic pricing by charging batteries during low-cost hours and using the stored energy during peak periods. To support this transition, the government is accelerating the deployment of smart meters and launching a digital registry for self-consumers.

In the industrial sector, Principia has received environmental permit amendments for a 70 MW solar plant in Sitia, which includes a 111 MW energy storage system. Additionally, the government has announced plans to allocate €476 million from the Islands Decarbonization Fund to support self-consumption projects, particularly in island regions, to reduce energy costs and enhance national energy autonomy.