The government has set ambitious goals and bets on hydroelectricity. Obstacle, however, is the drought and climate change that has already left the waters in our country’s rivers and reservoirs. This issue was reported yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Nikos Tsafi. As he pointed out, the national plan for energy and climate has set the bar for hydroelectricity.
Specifically, large projects are projected by 3 GW today to reach 4.7 GW gradually by 2050. respectively, the total power of small hydroelectrics will be doubled from 250 to 490 MW. The participation of pumping will also be important. Mr Tsafos described hydroelectric technology as an energy treasure and a battery for our country, as they provide flexibility to the energy system, both on a daily and on a seasonal basis. This is a tool that will be needed from now on, as RES production will increase.
The goal is now to convince the state investors that it can support hydroelectric projects. As an example, Mr Tsafos brought the Mesochora Grand Hydroelectric, which has been delayed for decades:
“A big bet is to show that the country can do such projects. For example, hydroelectricity in Mesochora has been stuck for years. Anyone who is thinking of investing should see that we can really implement them, “he said.
However, the obstacle to the designs is drought, which has limited the level to hydroelectric reservoirs this year compared to last year. On a longer -term horizon, climate forecasts show a clear deterioration of water availability. The national plan for energy has taken into account specific climate assumptions, but the speed of change is not excluded from setting the goals in question.
“We are very concerned about drought and reduced hydroelectric reserves,” the deputy minister said.