The Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEM) has reported that €3.3 billion from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) has been allocated to energy-related initiatives in Greece — part of a total €18 billion national RRF envelope. The announcement coincides with the end-June deadline for finalizing disbursements and reflects adjustments made over the past period to align projects under the ministry’s remit.
Three Strategic Pillars
These funds were distributed across three main pillars: renewable energy sources (RES), grids and energy storage; industry and emerging technologies; and energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings
€1.5 billion was directed toward energy efficiency in buildings, primarily through the Exoikonomo – Autonomo (Save & Self-Supply) programs. Over 90,000 households benefited directly, with another 90,000 receiving support for heat pump installations. By contrast, uptake among businesses remained modest, with around 1,000 expected to complete energy-efficiency upgrades.
Renewable Energy and Storage
Another €1.5 billion supported Greece’s green energy transition. This included €200 million to replenish the Special Account for RES — ensuring timely payments to renewable energy producers — and €150 million for Greece’s first grid-scale battery storage systems, now entering phased operation this year. An additional €250 million was earmarked for the large-scale pumped hydro storage project in Amfilochia (Western Greece). Meanwhile, the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) successfully completed a €1 billion capital increase, funded via the Recovery Fund, supporting critical grid modernization efforts. Both ADMIE and the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDHE) advanced network upgrades aligned with their investment plans.
Industry and Innovation
A total of €400 million was channeled into industrial decarbonization. A portion supported Motor Oil’s 50 MW green hydrogen production unit. Another segment backed green industrial manufacturing under the Produce E-Green program. Energean’s CO₂ storage facility in Kavala also progressed within Greece’s broader carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategy.
Unrealized Initiative
The Apollo program — intended to support vulnerable consumers by deploying regional RES projects — did not move forward under the Recovery Fund. Its €100 million allocation was redirected elsewhere.
Structural Reforms
Beyond funding, YPEM advanced key regulatory reforms tied to the Recovery Fund. These include the new spatial planning framework for RES, updated regulatory frameworks for offshore wind, biomethane, and CCS — all aimed at accelerating Greece’s clean energy transition.