In recent years, Greece has become a quiet achiever in Europe’s energy transition. With renewable energy now covering over 40% of the country’s electricity production—48% when large hydro is included—there is reason to celebrate. As Professor Agis Papadopoulos puts it, “We are much further ahead than even the most optimistic observer could have imagined ten years ago.”

Yet this progress has brought fresh challenges. While solar and wind are abundant, they do not always match when electricity is actually needed. This mismatch between supply and demand has led to increasing levels of curtailed renewable energy—4.2% in 2024 alone—simply because the grid cannot absorb the surplus. And with more capacity coming online, this issue is only expected to grow.

To meet national targets for 2030 and 2040, Greece must undergo a thorough redesign of its electricity system. For Papadopoulos, that means boosting both domestic and cross-border interconnections and investing heavily in storage—whether through pumped hydro, utility-scale batteries, or home systems. As he explains, “We need to increase renewables, and we need to increase electricity use—and in between, we need storage.” Without it, we risk surplus energy going to waste and EVs with nowhere to charge.

A new mindset for a new energy era

But infrastructure alone is not enough. The transition also depends on changing how society views and uses energy. “It’s infuriating to hear people protest wind turbines,” Papadopoulos says, “when those same people never objected to the polluting plants in Ptolemaida.” He concedes there have been poor planning decisions but insists a wind turbine, when sited properly, poses little environmental harm.

The absence of spatial planning and an official cadastre has only made matters worse. Delays and bureaucratic loops slow down even the best-intentioned projects. Although Greece has streamlined the permit process—bringing it down to 1.5–2 years from four—the system remains mired in red tape. For Papadopoulos, it is time to mainstream renewables within public administration, not treat them as exceptions requiring Olympic-style fast-track frameworks. “We need clear rules and public participation, without the deadlock.”

He also highlights Greece’s untapped potential in technologies like geothermal and biomass. Compared to other European nations, the country lags behind—largely due to institutional gaps rather than technological limitations. The challenge, he argues, is not just funding but long-term political commitment and capable governance.

Rethinking renewable energy: people first

Professor Michael Vrachopoulos adds another layer to the conversation—one focused squarely on justice and definitions. “We must ask: what do we actually mean by renewable energy?” he says. For him, the issue is as political as it is environmental. Are we deploying clean energy to serve society—or simply to fuel corporate profits?

He’s critical of how European funds are allocated in Greece, arguing that they benefit large corporations at the expense of citizens. “A major company could submit the same rooftop solar plan we once proposed as students—and they would get the funding. We did not.” His earlier academic project, which mapped the energy-saving potential of green roofs in Athens, never received support despite showing it could reduce energy use by 10%.

Instead of subsidising large-scale solar farms on remote land, Vrachopoulos envisions a decentralised, urban-focused energy model. Rooftop photovoltaics, district heating, even small wind turbines within city limits—all aimed at making cities more energy self-reliant. “We must invest in solutions that improve people’s daily lives, not just companies’ balance sheets,” he says.

He is also sceptical of Greece’s uncritical alignment with EU directives. “We follow orders like good servants but fail to gain real benefits for our society.” For him, transparency in how funding is allocated—and who gains from it—is essential for building public trust and engagement.

Meanwhile, Dr Ioannis Tsipouridis cuts straight to the heart of the matter. “RES are the only logical choice,” he says unapologetically. Though Greece has made commendable progress, it continues to underperform relative to its true potential. “We have always done well—but far less than we could, and always behind the curve.”

Tsipouridis is particularly passionate about the opportunities in geothermal energy—an option that remains almost completely overlooked in Greece. He also stresses the urgent need for storage and planning. “We have been calling for storage for decades. The fact that it has not been implemented is why we are behind now.”

Floating offshore wind, smart grids, and decentralised production are all on his list of priorities. But more than anything, he is worried about the delay in public understanding. “We hear conspiracy theories about wind farms, but nobody asks what the alternative is. Every other energy source does more harm.”

He warns that the influence of the fossil fuel lobby—buoyed by trillions in global subsidies—continues to distort the debate. Even in the EU, which leads globally on climate policy, action still falls short of what science demands.

For all three experts, the message is clear: renewables are not just a necessity—they are a matter of common sense, justice, and survival. The question is no longer whether Greece will pursue them, but whether it will do so in a way that’s equitable, effective, and on time.

The full investigation is available in English in the form of a dedicated eBook [HERE], providing a comprehensive resource for researchers, journalists, policymakers, and citizens seeking a deeper understanding of how Southern and Southeastern Europe is navigating the age of clean energy.

This investigation was developed with the support of Journalismfund Europe.