New Extension Until Late September for the ‘Photovoltaics in the Field’ Program

A new extension will be granted for applications under the ‘Photovoltaics in the Field’ program, according to information provided by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEEN) to Parliament, following a question submitted by independent MP Ioannis Sarakiotis. According to YPEEN, a ministerial decision is being promoted to extend the deadline by 160 days for submitting Final Connection Offers to HEDNO after the posting of the final lists of eligible applications. Additionally, the activation deadline for photovoltaic stations will be extended until September 30, 2025, allowing more interested parties to apply. Meanwhile, HEDNO has provided detailed data on the program’s applications. Specifically, a total of 1,776 connection applications for self-production stations in agricultural areas have been submitted through HEDNO’s electronic platform. Among these, 1,235 applications are currently under review, with the verification process completed for 794 of them. Another 377 applications are in the contract-signing phase, and contracts have been signed for 209. For 21 applications, connection was deemed impossible. Currently, 143 stations are operational. Recently, farmers have complained that HEDNO imposes operational restrictions on connected photovoltaic systems, thereby reducing their economic benefits. The manager explained that during the technical examination process for connecting a production station to the grid, all possible solutions are examined and proposed to the Producer to ensure a feasible connection under reasonable technical and economic terms. One of the solutions considered is the imposition of an operational restriction titled ‘No energy injection into the grid,’ which applies to cases involving thermally stressed Medium Voltage lines where further electrical energy injection is technically unfeasible. Out of the 377 applications in the contract-signing stage, 96 pertain to photovoltaic self-production stations with this operational restriction. In 17 cases, station owners have accepted the restriction and proceeded to sign the connection agreement.