Photovoltaics – Renewable Energies Photovoltaics and renewable energies in Greece
By a ministerial decision of August 2012, both the submission of new applications to the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) for the grant of production licences for photovoltaic projects, and the processing of applications already pending, were temporarily suspended. This suspension also extended to the submission of new applications, and the processing of pending applications, to the competent network operator for the grant of grid connection offers for photovoltaic installations that were exempt from the obligation to obtain a production licence.
This suspension regime was lifted long ago. Today, the permitting of photovoltaic projects in Greece is governed mainly by Law 4685/2020, Law 4951/2022 and Law 5037/2023. The former production licence has been replaced by the renewable energy producer certificate for projects over 1 MW, while simplified procedures apply to smaller projects. ADMIE and DEDDIE remain responsible for issuing grid connection offers, depending on the connection level (transmission or distribution network).
Historical Review of the Temporary Suspension of the Permitting Procedure for Then-New Photovoltaic Projects, and the Current Legal Regime
Historical Background (2012–2013)
By a ministerial decision of August 2012, the following were temporarily suspended:
- the submission of new applications to the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) for the grant of production licences for photovoltaic projects,
- the processing by RAE of applications already pending for the grant of production licences for photovoltaic projects,
- the submission of new applications to the competent network operator for the grant of grid connection offers for photovoltaic installations exempt from the obligation to obtain a production licence,
- the processing by the competent network operator of pending applications for the grant of grid connection offers for photovoltaic installations exempt from the obligation to obtain a production licence.
Current Legal Regime (2025/2026 Update)
The suspension described above was lifted long ago. The legal framework currently in force for the permitting of photovoltaic projects in Greece is as follows:
- a) Abolition of the Production Licence for Most PV Projects
Law 4685/2020 (“Modernisation of Environmental Law”) and, subsequently, Law 4951/2022 (“Modernisation of Renewable Energy Permitting”) abolished the production licence for photovoltaic projects up to a capacity of 1 MW (and, under certain conditions, also for larger installations). For projects above this threshold, a renewable energy producer certificate (Βεβαίωση Παραγωγού ΑΠΕ) from RAE is now required, replacing the former production licence.
- b) New Permitting System – “Fast Track” for Renewable Energy
A simplified and accelerated permitting procedure has been introduced, featuring:
- electronic application submission via the RAE platform,
- strict time limits for review of applications by the competent authorities,
- the possibility of tacit approval where the deadline expires without a response from the authority.
- c) Grid Connection
The network operators responsible for issuing grid connection offers remain:
- ADMIE (Independent Power Transmission Operator) for connection to the transmission network,
- DEDDIE (operator of the Greek electricity distribution network) for connection to the distribution network.
The procedure follows the respective network operator’s rules and RAE’s decisions.
- d) Self-Supply and Net Metering / Energy Offset
Special mention should be made of the self-supply regime (net metering and energy offset), governed by Law 4513/2018 and its amendments, as well as by Law 5037/2023, which has considerably expanded the capacity limits for self-generators.
- e) Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy
The Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy (Government Gazette ΦΕΚ Β’ 3143/2023) applies, setting out the spatial requirements for the installation of photovoltaic systems.
📌 Disclaimer:
The information above is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Greek legal framework for renewable energy changes frequently. For each specific project, it is recommended to check the legal framework currently in force and to consult a specialised legal or professional adviser.
FAQ
The decision imposed a temporary halt, and a suspension of review, for almost all new and already pending permitting procedures in the field of photovoltaics in Greece.
The suspension affected four main areas of project development:
- New production licences: no new applications for production licences could be submitted to the regulatory authority (RAE, today ΡΑΑΕΥ).
- Pending production licences: processing of applications already filed but not yet concluded was suspended.
- New grid connection offers: for PV installations not subject to the production licence requirement, no new applications for grid connection offers could be filed.
- Pending grid connection offers: processing of applications already submitted for installations exempt from the grid connection licence requirement was halted.
The rule took effect with the ministerial decision in August 2012. It was subsequently relaxed step by step and has since been superseded by the permitting law currently in force (Laws 4685/2020 and 4951/2022).
As of June 2026. All information on these pages is provided without guarantee or liability.