PESTEL and SWOT PPxx
Factors
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olitical
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conomic
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European Union
European Regional Development Fund
The intended installed capacity of the wind farms on land, including offshore wind farms (O.
W. F.) amounts to 4,000 MW in the year 2014 and to 7500 MW in 2020.
Despite the favorable Institutional framework, the investment incentives, the strong interest
of major Greek and foreign investors, the existence of political will and acceptance of RES by
the Greek society, the results so far have not been satisfactory. This was mainly due to
obstacles relating to time-consuming licensing process, lack of basic public infrastructure
(forest registry, cadastre, etc), difficulties of absorbing large wind energy from the national
grid, lack of interconnection, appeals to the State Council, to reactions of local communities,
and to immaturity of investment projects etc.
Humanity stands at a critical turning point today, since it faces simultaneously economic,
environmental and energy crisis. The RES (Renewable Energy Sources) and particularly wind
energy (due to maturation), is the most important response to these challenges, because it
will require huge investments, it will limit climate change and reduce its dependence on oil
and other fossil fuels which are expected to be exhausted.
For our country, wind energy is a reliable solution to the problem of energy-technological
dependence on abroad, to limitation of pollutant emissions (which will be valued soon) and in
dealing with the economic crisis by introducing capital and job creation.
Investments in wind farms are almost of zero risk, due to the rather stable annual yield, to
low operating cost, to high purchase price of (P.P.C.) Public Power Corporation SA or
(H.T.S.O.) the Hellenic Transmission System Operator SA and reliable disposal of production
for 20 years. The economic return on investment is satisfactory and depends mainly on the
wind conditions in the area, the prevailing market prices, interconnection costs and
economies of scale (size of w/f), (a/c power).
In addition to terrestrial wind farms, there are also offshore wind farms (W/F) of particular
importance for our country due to the rich wind resources of the seas. But a small part of
these are exploitable because today the existing technology allows the construction at depths
up to 30 m , while the Greek seas are characterized by much greater depths even near the
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The low acceptance of wind farms by the local communities may be the major problem for
the development of the sector in the coming years. Today most investment projects of big
scale face the intense opposition of residents that usually consider the W/F as a threat for
the environment, the economy and the physiognomy of their place. One of the basic reasons
of their opposition is the aesthetic degradation of landscape, particularly in the islands and in
tourist areas. Other serious reasons are the fear of tourism reduction and relative incomes,
depreciation of properties (immediately connected with subjects of aesthetics, noise etc).
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Significant wind velocity
Complex bottom terrain, steep slopes and large water depth
Non sufficient education in techno-economic issues concerning the construction, operation
and maintenance of offshore wind farms
In progress the creation of a comprehensive database (delineation of Underwater
Archeological sites, wind potential, routes of ships, bottom contours, etc.) and make a design
tool that incorporates legislative criteria in conjunction with sustainability criteria that can be
adapted to technological development.
A methodology is created to assess the aesthetic integration of the unit and supports local
and national administrations in decision-making for on shore wind farms, through 3D
computer simulations and simultaneous application of quantitative indicators for calculating
the visual impact of valid international practices. The outcomes are promising, since the
proposed methodology realistically simulates the changes that occur after the installation of
the wind farm, while the results of quantitative indicators correctly identify the visual
ocial
echnological
coast. For the few sea areas which are directly exploitable there have been recorded
investment interest proposals of overall power 5.682 MW.
Specifically for the region of Corfu there are investment proposals for offshore wind farms in
regions: a) “Platia Kerkyras” 55 MW with prospective investors “Consortium Aeoliki Platia –
Mathrakiou – EN. TE. KA. Wind Farms SA, ENORA EU – K. Filippides”, b) “Sea Area
Diapontion Islands Corfu” power 495 MW with prospective investors “JASPER Energy
Renewable SA”, c) “Diapontion Islands Corfu” 125 MW with prospective investors
“DIAPONTIA AIOLIKI – N/A. Tzavaras & CO.” d) “Diapontion Islands, Corfu” 96 MW with
prospective investors “Venergia Energiaki SA”.
In the Greek market there are 17 companies activated in constructing A/C and have already
installed 1245 A/C on land, producing power of 1087,61 MW, of which the companies
VESTAS and NEG MICON (VESTAS), ROKAS RENEWABLES, EDF EN SA and TERNA SA control
89,4% of the installed power and 79,4% of the installed A / C Wind Turbines.
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disturbance. Also the alternative siting scenarios that can be considered and the opportunity
offered by the tool to find concealment solutions and ways to minimize the annoyance,
provides flexibility to the method that makes it a useful tool to be used in controlling the
licensing process of wind farms. The above mentioned methodology can also be use for off
shore wind farms as well.
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nvironmental
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egal
In the inhabited islands of the Ionian Sea, the Aegean and Crete: Despite the very high wind
potential (14.310 MW), they have much more stringent restrictions, having as a result their
load-bearing capacity to be determined in half of that in the mainland.
The reasons for these restrictions is the small size, the intense tourist orientation, the
remarkable natural and cultural environment, nature conservation areas and landscape (3km
from world heritage monuments, 500m from cultural monuments and 1.500m from
traditional settlements).
The offshore sea area on the uninhabited islands is considered as a special category because
of its specific geomorphology and function. For this reason specific siting criteria have been
laid down, e.g. in relation to the navigation, how to install at sea etc.
 Law 3468/2006
Generation of Electricity using Renewable Energy Sources and High-Efficiency
Cogeneration of Electricity and Heat and Miscellaneous Provisions
(Official Gazette A’ 129/27.06.2006)
 Law 2464/2008
Spatial planning and sustainable development plan for RES
-Areas such as Archeological sites, areas of nature conservation, underwater/marine parks, ship
routes, beaches etc) are excluded
-The installation of wind generators in enclosed bays with open range <1.500 m is prohibited
-The interconnection and adequate transfer of electricity to the system is required
-Maximum distance from substation interface is set at 20 km
-The implementation of measures to protect the landscape is required
-Minimum distance from the shore, monuments and historical sites, settlements and productive
activities is identified
 Law 3581/2010
Article 6
Following article 6 of Law No 3468/2006 is added a new article 6A as follows:
Article 6A
Off shore wind farms
1. The installation of wind farms for the production of electrical energy within
the national sea territory is allowed, according to article 10 of the Special
Framework for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development for R.E.S.
(Government Gazette – ΦΕΚ Β 2464/2008) and the decision of the Minister
of Environment, Energy and Climate Change which is issued under case β’
of paragraph 3 of article 1 of law No 3468/2006, as it applies.
2. With special plans which are subject to undergoing the process of Strategic
Environmental Assessment, according to provisions of ΚΥΑ
ΥΠΕΧΩΔΕ/ΕΥΠΕ/οικ.107017/2006 (ΦΕΚ Β’ 1225), the exact location of off
shore wind farms, the sea area they occupy, and their maximum installed
electrical capacity is determined. The Strategic Environmental Assessment
conducted for this procedure, evaluates in particular issues concerning the
26 protection of the marine natural and cultural environment and in general of
its ecosystems, with an emphasis of the sustainability of the marine flora,
fauna and ornitho-fauna, the national security, securing by priority the
energy supply of the islands and the safety of shipping.
3. The special plans of the previous paragraph are approved by presidential
decree issued by a proposal of the Ministers of Economy, Economics,
Competitiveness and Shipping, National Defence, Culture and Tourism and
Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
4. For the installation of any off shore wind farm, including the definite
Connection Offer of the relevant Operator, a license is published with a
decision by the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, by
circumvention of the licensing provisions of the law 3468/2006, as they
apply. The particular content of the license, the issuing procedure and any
other required detail are defined by Ministerial decision of the Minister of
Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
5. Following the issue of the license referred to in the previous paragraph, by
decision of the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, an
open public tendering procedure is announced, in line with the provisions of
law No 3669/2008 (A’116), for the execution with financing or self-financing
of the construction works of the off shore wind farm and its connection to
the network, in return for the partial or entire concession of its exploitation
by the contractor for a limited time period. The installed capacity of the off
shore wind farm can be lower or equal to the maximum power defined in
the relative special plan referred to in paragraph 2 of this article.
6. A common ministerial decision issued following the proposal of the Ministers
of Environment, Energy and Climate Change and Economy, Competitiveness
and Shipping, defines the details regarding the tendering procedure, the
tender documents, the selection criteria, the participation in the selection
procedure of independent authorities and other administrative instruments,
the rights and obligations of the contractors, as well as any other particular
subject related to the implementation of the previous paragraph.
7. For the construction and the operation of each off shore wind farm of
paragraph 1, the contractor follows the procedure of environmental
approval, according to the regulations of article 3 up to 5 of law 1650/1986,
as it applies.
8. The operating license of the off shore wind farms the station of paragraph 1 is
issued by the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change to the
contractor according to the procedure in paragraphs 11 and 12 of article 8
of law No 3468/2006, as it applies.
In your region
Strengths
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Rich wind resources and satisfactory performance of
the wind turbines in Greece compared to the rest of
the European countries.
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The existence of institutional frameworks and
structures that can support the development on wind
power's field.
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Significant room for growth that increases the wind
power’s market intrusion (due to delays so far) and
achieving critical size market for the development on
domestic production.
The existence of many remote areas with low-level
consumption or seasonal high-level consumption
where the cost of wind power is relatively competitive
to other energy sources. Possibility of creating hybrid
power station on these areas. ( aiolika h/y,
Weaknesses
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Non-existent domestic production of equipment used
for wind power, for the time being. There is a Low
level on research and development of wind power
technology.
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The problems in absorbing wind power and its
connection to the web.
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There is a low acceptance from the local communities,
especially from the tourist resorts.
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In this field, mainly construction companies will be
active and fewer chances will be given to companies
involved with energy. Many problems will arise such
as bureaucracy, inexperienced investors,
organizational and functional weaknesses and other
significant problems.
desalination).
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Existence of significant domestic market growth and
possibility of providing wind power equipment on
other EU countries that are underproductive.
Opportunities
Outside your retion
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EU’s strategy is especially favorable to the wind
farms. Our country’s imperative need is to restrict
charge on pollutants.
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There is a possibility of creating a vertically integrated
industry. (Such as the manufacture of wind turbines
and supplementary equipment, construction of
floating wind turbines).
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There will be an increase on investments and on
international capital imports. Positive consequences
on employment and regional development.
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The existence of domestic ability on research and
construction as well as potentials of creating a
powerful local technological infrastructure and linking
research with production will be an opportunity.
Possible difficulties on the program being approved
due to the burden of the family budget, which is
caused by the renewable sources tax.
Threaths
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Continue of the severe financial crisis that the country
is facing.
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Weakness on being supported by domestic production
due to the weak industrial web, the lack of sectoral
industrial policy and poor organization.
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The lack on covering the increasing worldwide
demand of wind power turbines is a threat because it
may cause problems on the implementation of the
investment projects.
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Technological developments on conventional energy
sources (coal, nuclear) may cause a reduction on the
cost or on the emissions of pollutants. (nuclear
energy exploitation, clean CO2 emissions or storage
of CO2)
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The rapid development on wind technology will
possibly allow its growth earlier than planned.
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Lack of “entering barriers” and monopoly statements
in neighboring countries may give the opportunity for
Greek companies to operate.
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There are vast energy needs (practically unlimited) on
developing countries' markets that create beneficial
conditions for the Greek companies that produce wind
power equipment, to act.
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The existence of negative conditions in many areas
that are rich in wind power potentials. (Areas that are
protected by international agreements depended on
tourism, beautiful places).
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Technological developments that may devalue the
wind power equipment that has already been
installed.
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High cost of the A.P.E. programme that may be a
burden for the national economy as well as for the
consumers if there is not going to be a recovery the
following years.