With the deployment of its second LNG terminal (the Alexandroupolis FSRU) and plans for a third in Corinth (Dioriga Gas), Greece aims primarily to export gas to the rest of Europe. However, from the very first months of operation, the Alexandroupolis FSRU has encountered technical problems — the terminal was shut down by the end of January and is expected to return to full operation in October 2025.
Contributing to the Energy Intelligence article titled “Alexandroupolis Slow Restart to Hit Greek Gas Exports,” Ioanna Souka, Energy policy analyst, argues that “The long-term viability of such plans, however, looks doubtful given the projections for limited demand growth in Southeast Europe and the EU’s overarching goal to phase out fossil fuels. At the same time, growing competition from other gas exporters in the region could also crowd out Greece’s export ambitions, as Azerbaijan, Turkey and Romania are seeking to boost flows to Southeast Europe.”
During the 2024–25 winter period, Greece’s LNG terminal utilization rate was just 23% — the lowest in the EU — «but the Greek government continues to pursue an expansion of the country’s gas infrastructure», Souka said. “There is a growing risk that these investments may become stranded assets, undermining climate targets and diverting resources away from clean energy solutions.”
The article was published on May 6, 2025, and is available by subscription at energyintel.com.
