Three years after Greece passed legislation to kickstart offshore wind farm development, progress remains minimal, leaving the country increasingly lagging behind other European nations in this fast-growing sector.
Greece was initially recognized for its exceptional offshore wind potential, especially in the Mediterranean region. However, no tangible steps have been taken to harness this advantage. Early enthusiasm for rapid development has faded, and government discussions about a national offshore wind strategy have become scarce—almost as if the initiative has been forgotten.
Meanwhile, the global offshore wind industry is accelerating rapidly. The Global Wind Energy Council projects that global offshore wind capacity will more than double from 16 GW in 2025 to 34 GW by 2030. Yet Greece has no active projects or commitments to join this expansion.
A major hurdle remains a joint ministerial decision stuck at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although initially approved two years ago, the government unexpectedly called for a reassessment earlier this year. The delay was blamed on the absence of a finalized national maritime spatial plan, which has now been completed. Still, no progress has been made in implementing an offshore wind policy.
These ongoing delays have discouraged international investors who once showed strong interest in Greece’s offshore wind potential. Notably, Ocean Winds—a joint venture between Engie and EDPR—and Danish investment group CIP were among the early proponents. Faced with continued uncertainty and lack of governmental action, these investors are now shifting their attention to more promising markets elsewhere.
