Greece’s electricity regulator approved DEDDIE’s new 2026–2030 distribution development programme. The decision clears the way for another large investment cycle while rejecting some projects and reducing budgets for others. The regulator’s approval follows a review of the operator’s proposed spending plan.
Scope of the proposed 2026–2030 spending
DEDDIE had proposed approximately €5.9 billion of expenditure for the 2026–2030 period. This would have represented a 35.2% increase compared with the amount approved under its previous 2024–2028 programme. A substantial share of the higher outlay was intended to address ageing infrastructure through replacement and refurbishment of existing network assets.
The regulator, through RAAEY, said higher material prices, project modifications and delays contributed to rising costs. RAAEY also criticised repeated postponements, including delays affecting priority investments. It called for more credible implementation schedules.
Connection activity and rising network requirements
Network investment pressure is reflected in connection costs. DEDDIE spent €140.5 million connecting electricity users in 2025, compared with €101 million in 2023, despite completing approximately 3,000 fewer connections.
The amount of new network required increased from 1,139 kilometres to 1,311 kilometres. Contractor prices rose by 42% between 2022 and 2025. With higher unit costs and greater network requirements, expansion becomes more capital-intensive even where completed customer connections are lower.
Projects excluded and budgets reduced by RAAEY
RAAEY did not accept the investment plan in full. Shore-power projects at Igoumenitsa, Rafina and Kyllini were excluded, along with a low-voltage monitoring system. The proposed electrification project for Mount Athos, as well as an artificial-intelligence and knowledge infrastructure programme, were also rejected.
The regulator reduced several major spending envelopes. Funding for customer connections was lowered from €800 million to €760 million. Expenditure on network variants fell from €150 million to €115 million, while the smart-meter programme was cut from €1.6 billion to €1.46 billion.
Implications for delivery under the approved programme
The regulator’s intervention leaves Greece with a large distribution investment requirement but a more constrained capital programme. Rising construction costs, ageing assets and growing connection requirements remain part of the planning baseline. The pressure now shifts toward execution discipline and the operator’s ability to deliver approved projects without repeating delays identified under earlier plans.
The approved framework therefore reflects both an ongoing need for network investment and changes to specific project scopes and budget levels across the 2026–2030 period.
