Challenging Sundays Ahead for Our Country’s Power Grid – Authorities on High Alert

In the coming week, a decision by the energy regulatory authority regarding emergency curtailments of renewable energy units (solar and wind) is expected to be published in the Government Gazette. This move aims to protect the grid against the risk of excessive electricity supply during midday hours, particularly on spring Sundays, which could lead to potential blackouts. The situation is anticipated to peak at Easter but will persist throughout spring on low-demand days. As stated by Dimitris Fourlaries, Vice President of RAEE, on Thursday, “After April 6th, every Sunday will be challenging” for the network. To address this issue, authorities have devised a plan involving two groups of renewable energy projects managed by DEDDHE. Group A can be remotely controlled, allowing the operator to automatically halt operations when necessary. For Group B, producers will receive SMS notifications to take action themselves. Non-compliance penalties range from €500 per megawatt, increasing to €1,000 or even €1,500 for repeat offenders. Authorities will test producer responses ahead of Easter, with the first major trial set for the upcoming Sunday, April 6th. It’s important to note that this solution is ad hoc, partly relying on producers’ willingness to halt operations. In the long term, implementing the first storage units is deemed essential for a permanent resolution.