According to a decision of the Ministry of Energy, Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) will extend the operating hours of its five lignite-fired power units in Agios Dimitrios, Meliti and Megalopoli until 2025, as well as two oil-fired plants at Atherinolakkos in eastern Crete until 2024, when the Crete-Attica electricity interconnection is expected to start operating. The decision followed a relevant request from PPC.
The decision was made at PPC’s request. The company argues that the extension of operating hours in derogation of a European environmental directive concerning the emission of air pollutants, both lignite and oil, is considered necessary for the stability of the country’s electricity system, especially during periods of extreme weather due to climate change. These units are already operating in derogation of the EU directive.
In 2019, Greece set out ambitious decarbonization plan, which envisaged that most lignite-fired units will be decommissioned by the end of 2023. Ptolemaida V, which is still under construction, would be the only remaining unit in operation, until 2028, when it would be converted to natural gas.
