Coal power production in Greece saw a significant decline in the first nine months of 2024, reaching a new record low in September. Data from the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) and analysis from the Green Tank indicate that September recorded the highest number of lignite-free production hours—463 hours, or 64.3% of the total. This surpassed the previous record of 456 hours, or 61.3%, set in May.
In absolute terms, September also marked the second lowest lignite production, with just 159.4 GWh generated, following a mere 50.2 GWh in May. While lignite was used during the hot summer months to meet increased electricity demand—accounting for up to 15% of the energy mix on some days in August—it was completely offline for several weeks in the spring, significantly lowering its annual share. For the first nine months of the year, coal power output totaled 2.34 TWh, a staggering 30% drop compared to the same period in 2023. The energy system operated without these traditional baseload units for 1,575 hours, or 24% of the total time.
Minister of Environment and Energy Thodoros Skylakakis noted that lignite contributes to high energy prices in Greece, emphasizing that renewables are now more cost-effective. He pointed out that while natural gas production costs around EUR 100 per MWh, lignite production costs approximately EUR 200 per MWh. Currently, Greece primarily relies on renewables and natural gas for its energy needs.
Greece’s revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) aims for a complete phase-out of lignite by 2028. According to the timeline, all coal units are expected to be decommissioned by 2025, with the exception of the new Ptolemaida 5 facility, which may operate for a few additional years. However, the Public Power Corporation (PPC), which owns Ptolemaida 5, has indicated plans to shut it down by 2026, suggesting an earlier exit from coal for the country overall.
It remains to be seen whether the final version of the NECP, set to be submitted to the European Commission in the coming weeks, will reflect any changes to these plans.
