154 MW solar and 190 MW BESS projects in Greece reach new milestone as Crete-Attica interconnection unlocks further renewable potential

A 154 MW solar PV project has received Environmental Terms Approval (ETA) from regional authorities, allowing the project to apply for grid connection terms together with a 190 MW standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking a crucial step toward construction readiness. 

The projects form part of Korkia and GH Energy’s joint development pipeline of 420 MW solar PV and 400 MW BESS projects. This adds to a series of environmental approvals granted earlier this year within the partnership’s wider portfolio, further demonstrating the steady progress of Korkia’s renewable energy initiatives across Greece. Following the receipt of ETA, the projects are now awaiting issuance of grid connection terms.

“The projects are situated in the Thessaly region of northern-central Greece – where vast plains are bounded by Mount Olympus to the north and the Pindus mountains to the west. A region rich in history, Thessaly has seen rapid modernization, growing into one of Greece’s main hubs for industry and agriculture. This calls for low-carbon solutions to meet power demand, and the efficient deployment of renewable energy generation technologies is more important than ever,” said Michael Roussos, Investment Director and Country Manager for Greece and Romania at Korkia.

In addition to mainland Greece, through a joint development partnership with local developer AA Green Energy, Korkia is developing a portfolio of over 600 MW solar PV capacity with co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the island of Crete.

Crete-Attica interconnection nears launch

The much-anticipated Crete-Attica interconnection, the largest electricity transmission project in Greece, is approaching commercial operation. Once fully operational, it will allow bidirectional energy flow to Crete and enable new renewable generation capacity on the island.

With a total length of approximately 670 kilometers and a transmission capacity of 1,000 MW at 500 kV, the project completed a three-month testing phase under real operating conditions in August 2025, paving the way to commercial operation expected in 2026.

Connecting Crete to a renewable future

The Crete-Attica interconnection represents a fundamental shift for the island of Crete, which has long relied on oil-fired power plants for its electricity supply. By directly linking Crete’s grid to mainland Greece, the project ensures stable and reliable operation of the island’s energy system and unlocks Crete’s full renewable potential, including its abundant solar and wind resources.

This modernized infrastructure eliminates the need for local reserve power units, reduces Greece’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, and strengthens national efforts to meet energy and climate targets.

Supporting Greece’s 2030 renewable targets

The completion of the Crete-Attica interconnection comes at a crucial time. Under its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), the country aims to generate at least 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The new link between Crete and Attica is a vital enabler of this goal, strengthening grid reliability and providing the foundation for scaling up renewable generation, particularly from the islands, where natural conditions for solar and wind energy are exceptional.

Since entering the Greek market in 2022, Korkia has been actively contributing to the country’s energy transition. “Through our partnerships with local developers, Korkia is contributing to Greece’s efforts to decarbonize its power supply, integrating locally generated renewable energy into the wider network, and supporting its national ambitions for energy independence,” Roussos concludes.

Additional information:

Michael Roussos
Country Manager, Greece & Romania
+44 7713 632 913
michael.roussos@korkia.co.uk