A RENEWABLE AND INDEPENDENT RESOURCE
With offshore wind resources in Greece considered among the most attractive for energy production in Europe – characterised by strong and constant winds throughout the year – the potential of the sector cannot be overemphasized. Although onshore wind continues to dominate global wind energy production, the saturation of exploitable sites, a lower comparative energy capacity, and visual and noise disturbances are just a few of reasons behind the current international surge in offshore wind farm (OWF) development.
THE LICENSING AUTHORITY FOR THE EXPLORATION OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS
The rights for the exploration and identification of suitable areas for the deployment of and installation of OWFs within the Greek territory pertain exclusively to the Greek state.
In July 2022, in a landmark move that officially kick-started the deployment of offshore wind development in Greece, the Hellenic Parliament approved the first law on OWFs (Law 4964/2022, GGI A’ 150/30.07.2022). As a result, HEREMA was appointed – on behalf of the Greek state – as the authority responsible for the management of these rights with respect to the research, exploration, and identification of OWF Organized Development Areas (OWFODA), in addition to the assignment of research rights to third parties within said development areas.
