Greece has put into effect a new Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), introducing clearer and stricter rules on where renewable energy projects can be developed across the country.
The new framework, which took effect on August 19, was approved by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Ministers Nikos Tsafos and Marilena Soukoulis.
It replaces a planning regime dating back to 2008 and sets updated rules for wind farms, solar parks, hydroelectric projects, biomass, geothermal energy and, for the first time, energy storage facilities such as batteries.
Stricter Rules on Where Renewable Projects Can Be Built
At the heart of the new framework is an effort to strike a balance between Greece's ambitious clean-energy targets and the protection of environmentally and culturally sensitive areas.
The government says the rules introduce stronger exclusion criteria and wider protection zones, limiting renewable energy development in areas where projects could have a significant impact on ecosystems, landscapes, cultural heritage or local communities.
Photovoltaic projects face tighter restrictions in sensitive areas, including certain Natura 2000 sites, forests, wetlands and protected landscapes.
New Limits for Solar and Wind Projects
The framework also seeks to prevent excessive concentration of renewable energy projects in particular parts of the country.
For new solar installations, the maximum land coverage is generally set at 1.5% of the total area of each regional unit, introducing a clearer ceiling on how much territory can be occupied by photovoltaic developments.
Wind power development will also be subject to tighter location criteria, with additional safeguards for environmentally sensitive areas and landscapes of particular importance.
The government has also clarified that wind turbines will not be allowed on fire-damaged land in Attica and Thessaloniki, addressing concerns over the potential use of burned areas for renewable energy development.
Energy Storage Included for the First Time
One of the most significant changes is the formal inclusion of energy storage in Greece's national spatial planning rules.
Battery storage is becoming increasingly important as Greece adds more wind and solar capacity to its electricity system. Storage facilities can absorb excess electricity when renewable production is high and return it to the grid when demand rises.
The new framework therefore covers not only renewable power generation but also the infrastructure needed to support a more flexible electricity system.
New Rules Designed With 2050 in Mind
The framework is intended to provide the planning foundation for Greece's energy transition through 2050.
According to the Environment and Energy Ministry, its final form followed a broad public consultation involving institutional and social organizations, representatives of the scientific and business communities and members of the public.
It is also being developed alongside Greece's special spatial planning frameworks for tourism and industry, part of an effort to create a more coordinated approach to development and land use.
For the government, the challenge is now to accelerate renewable energy investment without allowing the transition to come at the expense of protected landscapes, local communities and the country's natural and cultural heritage.
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