After a prolonged pause, Greece’s offshore wind sector is regaining momentum as authorities move to restart early-stage development through a newly activated project framework.
A legislative proposal submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy introduces a mechanism that will enable the launch of initial marine and wind measurement campaigns, an essential step in identifying suitable locations for future offshore wind farms. The initiative is linked to commitments under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, marking an important milestone in advancing the sector.
Under the transitional arrangement, HEREMA (Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management) will take the lead in defining initial survey zones until a full national offshore wind development program is formally established. These zones are expected to be selected from pre-identified areas, including regions near Crete, Evia, the northern Patraikos Gulf, Rhodes, and parts of the Aegean Sea.
The planned model follows a centralized state-led approach, where a public entity carries out early-stage studies and collects technical and environmental data before projects are opened to private investors. This structure is designed to reduce upfront risk for developers and lower initial costs by providing pre-prepared site data, which could accelerate project rollout once auctions begin.
Authorities are also using the current slowdown in the global offshore wind market as an opportunity to prepare the regulatory and technical groundwork more thoroughly before launching competitive tenders, which are now expected toward the end of the decade.
Future auctions will be overseen by the energy regulator RAAEY, with strict eligibility criteria for developers. Companies will need to demonstrate substantial experience in offshore wind development, including a proven track record in large-scale projects, as well as strong financial capacity, reflected in solid turnover and capital strength.
