New report: Greece has great potential in floating offshore wind

According to Greece’s preliminary energy planning, the targets for the development of Offshore Wind Farms are set at 1,9 GW by 2030, 6,2 GW by 2035, and 17,3 GW by 2050. 

Supported through the EEA Grants, Norwegian Offshore Wind and ELETAEN have collaborated on identifying the gaps in the Greek offshore wind supply chain and finding solutions to effectively establish and strengthen this chain. The project also aimed to pinpoint bottlenecks and challenges within the offshore wind supply chain, as well as strategies to address them. One of the outcomes of this initiative is the report on the "Status & Challenges for the Offshore Wind Supply Chain in Greece." 

The report concludes that offshore wind offers great opportunities for Greece and its industry. Greece possesses several strengths, including internationally competitive steel, cable, and cement industries, along with extensive experience in the marine and shipbuilding sectors. These industries already play a significant role in the existing offshore wind market, positioning Greece to take on an even greater role in the future. 

-This report can assist in our efforts to strengthen the Greek-Norwegian partnership. It highlights that Greece has the potential to emerge as a strong floating offshore wind market, and it underscores the different strengths and capabilities of the Greek and Norwegian supply chains. We must build on these to create synergies and foster a strong collaboration with Greece, says Gunnar Birkeland, CEO of Source Galileo Norge and Working Group leader for the Greek market in Norwegian Offshore Wind. 

However, the industry faces several challenges, including regulatory constraints related to permitting processes. The report identifies the lack of port readiness, both in infrastructure and expertise, as the primary challenge, which is critical for Greece's involvement and development in the offshore wind sector. 

- Some of the challenges the Greek industry faces, such as regulatory constraints and delays, are also familiar to us in Norway. Sharing experiences and coordinating joint actions between the Greek and Norwegian industries is a natural next step. Regarding port challenges, Norway has a strong legacy of knowhow, competence, and solutions that could address some of these issues,” says Tor Arne Johnsen EU advisor in NOW. . 

Strengths: 

Significant wind potential 

Strategic location  

Maritime heritage 

Industry and shipyards know-how 

Skilled workforce 

Experience by the management of onshore wind farms 

Political will 

Weaknesses 

Insufficient infrastructure in port space and equipment 

Lack of assembly know how in ports 

Regulatory constraints 

Uncertainty due to port privatisation plans 

Opportunities 

A new innovative technology that may be developed in Greece 

Novel industrial sector with prospects of at least 30 years of activity 

Potential high local added value for Greece 

Side – activities development: a new industry in offshore wind maintenance 

Threats 

Risk of delays 

Lack of clear legal framework 

Bureaucracy 

Limited or lack of social acceptance 

Increasing costs 

Investments required in infrastructure 

Constant design upscaling 

Limited capacity Europe wide 

Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme "Business Innovation Greece", within the project GR-INNOSGS2 Soft Measures - HWEA/ELETAEN.