Climate & Energy

Renewables ranked first in electricity generation and reached a 9-month high in May with 2,573 GWh, despite significant curtailments (418 GWh, or 14% of RES generation) and the comparatively higher absorption by the first batteries (9.5 GWh, accounting for just 2.2% of RES curtailments). In addition, there was an increase in production from fossil gas and lignite compared to the previous month, resulting in the average monthly price on the day-ahead market remaining the same as in April at 89 €/MWh. Cumulatively, the first five months of 2026 saw record levels for both RES generation (11,930 GWh) and RES curtailments

Recent commentary has suggested that Greece exports surplus renewable electricity to Bulgaria during the middle of the day, when solar PV output peaks and wholesale electricity prices are low, only for Bulgaria to store part of this electricity and sell it back to Greece at a higher price after sunset. While this narrative has gained…

After a two-year delay, Poland has finalised its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The country with the historically highest share of lignite and hard coal in its energy mix has decided to permanently end the use of these two most polluting fuels by 2040.

In an article published by Chronos Kozanis, Nikos Mantzaris, Lead Policy Analyst and Co-founder of The Green Tank, examines Greece’s lignite exports to North Macedonia during the 2022–2026 period, shedding light on an aspect of the country’s lignite phase-out that has been at the center of public and parliamentary debate in recent years.

Domestic gas consumption rose in May (4.6 TWh), mainly due to electricity generation (+15.4% compared to April). LNG imports via Revythousa ranked first with 1.85 TWh. However, Russian gas via Sidirokastro followed closely behind with 1.78 TWh. In the first five months of 2026, domestic consumption was at similar levels to last year (29.35 TWh), while LNG imports reached a record high (18.9 TWh), and gas exports quadrupled compared to 2025 (8 TWh).

Emissions from electricity production reached a 12-month low in April 2026 (0.93 million tons) due to reduced use of fossil fuels, particularly oil (0.1 million tons). The average annual carbon intensity reached a new all-time low (233.4 g CO2/kWh). However, for the first four months, emissions totaled 4.9 million tons, with fossil gas accounting for 56.1%. Without RES curtailments during this period (885 GWh), carbon emissions would have been 12% lower.

The cement industry is one of the most carbon-intensive industrial sectors globally. Yet its decarbonization is accompanied by significant technical and economic challenges. With the window for achieving the EU’s binding 2030 climate targets rapidly narrowing and the gradual phase-out of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) affecting the sector’s competitiveness, closing the investment gap for decarbonization projects has become an urgent priority.

For the 4th consecutive month, renewables led the way in electricity production with 2,107 GWh, despite the high level of curtailments recorded in April (475 GWh). The first 7 batteries connected to the grid reduced RES curtailments by just 0.72% and gas-fired power generation by just 0.26%. High RES, combined with low levels of fossil gas and lignite (1,340 GWh and 197 GWh, respectively), led to a drop in the average wholesale price (89 €/MWh, -6.6%). However, over the 4-month period, fossil gas (7,329 GWh) was just 1.2% below last year’s record levels, while net exports reached a high of

At the international conference “The Evolving Climate and Energy Landscape in Greece”, organized by the Columbia Climate School, the University of Western Macedonia and the Columbia Global Center Athens, with the support of PPC and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, on May 25–26, 2026 in Athens, Nikos Mantzaris, Lead Policy Analyst and co-founder of The Green Tank, participated in the session “Policy Perspectives on the Energy Transition” alongside representatives from academia, research institutions, and the energy sector.

Nikos Mantzaris, Lead Policy Analyst and co-founder of The Green Tank, spoke on Giorgos Psalti’s news radio show on SKAI 100.3 about the findings of The Green Tank’s latest analysis on trends in Greece’s retail electricity market.

Following the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Nikos Tsafos’ public comments, The Green Tank would like to present the data and methodology on which its conclusions are based. The response below clarifies the data used and explains why the increased reliance on fossil gas remains a critical issue both for emissions and for the cost of electricity paid by consumers.

In 2025, Greece had the highest retail electricity prices in the EU-27 in terms of consumers’ purchasing power and the third highest in nominal prices. At the same time, the more expensive green tariffs continued to dominate the market despite their high cost, while increased fossil gas use kept both wholesale and retail electricity prices at elevated levels.

In an article on energypress.gr titled “Lignite is leaving, but the questions remain,” Nikos Mantzaris reflects on the permanent shutdown of the Agios Dimitrios Power Plant, the largest lignite-fired plant in Greece and one of the largest in the Balkans, after 42 years of operation.

Emissions from the four sectors covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in the EU-27 remained largely unchanged in 2025 (-1.7%). At the same time, lignite and hard coal continued to account for 46% of emissions in the power and heat sector. In Greece, emissions from this sector increased due to higher fossil gas use, while the country recorded the highest maritime emissions in the EU. By contrast, the carbon footprint of the Greek cement industry fell by 9.2%, and that of refineries by 4.6%.