In the first four months of 2024, renewable energy sources surpassed fossil fuels in Greece’s electricity mix for the first time, reducing the sector’s emissions to a new low.
Renewable energy sources plus large hydro accounted for 8.09 TWh of total production from January through April, while natural gas, lignite and oil contributed 498 GWh less and emissions dropped, according to Green Tank.
The renewables output jumped 21.4% compared to the same period last year.
As a result of many days with near-zero and negative hourly prices in the wholesale market, the country’s imports fell by an unprecedented 2.22 TWh, turning the country into a net exporter.
Curtailments also breached the record in the first four months, with 308 GWh, which is more than in the entire 2023. Green Tank estimates that without the curtailments, Greece would have been able to reduce its power imports by 81%.
In another notable development, carbon intensity in electricity production extended its decreasing trajectory over the last ten years. When the third phase of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) commenced in 2013, it amounted to over 500 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Emissions peaked at 875 grams in 2014. Last year fell to 315 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour.
Moreover, the average so far in 2024 has weakened to just 268 grams as a result of phasing out lignite and higher renewables share in the country’s production mix.