Greek power generation has seen another significant drop in CO2 emissions this year, continuing a steep downward trend. From 45 million tonnes in 2013, emissions fell to 16 million tonnes last year—and are now tracking even lower in 2026. This decline is driven by the growing share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the national electricity mix, alongside the progressive retirement of lignite-fired power plants.
Progress Against Climate Targets
According to data released by The Green Tank for the first five months of 2026, conventional power plants emitted 5.93 million tonnes of CO2—roughly two-thirds of the 9-million-tonne ‘carbon budget’ set by Greece’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for the entire year. That leaves just 3 million tonnes of emissions headroom for the remainder of 2026 to meet the plan’s non-binding annual target.
In practice, Greece is expected to slightly exceed the 9-million-tonne threshold—but only marginally.
The End of Agios Dimitrios
A major milestone was reached in May, when the large lignite-fired Agios Dimitrios Power Plant ceased operations permanently. It had been the country’s single largest source of CO2 emissions. In the first five months of 2026 alone, it emitted 1.76 million tonnes—more than three times the 563,000 tonnes emitted by the next-highest emitter. Its full-year retirement is projected to cut national power sector emissions by several million tonnes, bringing Greece closer to its NECP goals.
Looking Ahead to 2030
The NECP sets an even more ambitious target for 2030: reducing power sector emissions to just 4 million tonnes. Achieving that will be challenging. Even converting the last remaining lignite unit—Ptolemaida 5—to natural gas would not, on its own, bridge the gap. Gas-fired power plants will remain part of the generation fleet and continue operating, though their runtime is expected to decline as more renewables—and especially energy storage—enter the system. Market analysts estimate gas units will still play a substantial role in electricity generation at least through the end of the decade.