In 2024, Greece achieved net electricity exporter status for only the second time since 1990, with clean energy sources—including renewables and large hydropower—accounting for over half of the country’s electricity consumption (50.2%). According to a report by Green Tank, electricity consumption in Greece rose by 5.5% compared to 2023, following two years of decline. This increase in demand was primarily met by gas-fired generation, which grew faster than renewable energy sources between 2023 and 2024.
Renewable energy sources (excluding large hydropower) led electricity generation in 2024, producing a total of 25,269 GWh. However, the combined output from fossil fuels—natural gas, lignite, and oil—exceeded this by 3,171 GWh. This shift occurred in the latter half of 2024, when gas usage surged, overshadowing renewables. During the first half of the year, renewables had outpaced fossil fuels in overall generation.
Natural gas became the second-largest source of generation, producing 21,343 GWh—just 623 GWh shy of its record high in 2021 (21,966 GWh). Its output surged by 35.9% compared to 2023, significantly outpacing the 19.8% growth seen in renewable generation. This marked a notable rebound for natural gas, which had seen continuous declines in the previous two years.
Oil-powered generation on non-interconnected islands ranked third, producing 3,860 GWh, slightly ahead of large hydropower plants, which generated 3,482 GWh and ranked fourth. Lignite, which has seen a steady decline, produced just 3,236 GWh in 2024, marking its lowest recorded output.
In terms of energy exports, Greece achieved net exports of 307 GWh in 2024. This marked the second time in recorded history that Greece became a net exporter of electricity, the first being in 2000 with a modest 11 GWh of exports.
These developments highlight Greece’s growing reliance on renewables and gas to meet rising energy demands, along with a notable shift in its energy mix. The country’s status as a net exporter is a positive milestone for its energy sector and reflects the ongoing transition to cleaner energy sources.
