General Description

The Region of Peloponnisos has a total area of 15,490 km2 and 669,893 inhabitants (1998). A 50% of the total area is characterised as mountainous, 30% as semi-mountainous and 20% as flat area. Also the 25% of the total area is characterised as cultivable and 46% as rangeland. Forest are covering the 10% of the total area, waters the 6% and settlements the 9%. The region is guathering the 6.4% of the total population of Greece and produces the 5% of the Gross Domestic Product. The, per inhabitant, GDP is reaching the 51% of the european average index (the index is one of the lowest among European regions). 50 % of the total population is living in the plain area, 30% in semi-mountainous areas and 20% in mountainous areas.

The role of the primary in regional economy sector is more important, in comparison with the national levels. It contributes by 16% in formulation of the local GDP, vis-a-vis the national percentage of 8% (1998). The secondary and tertiary sectors are contributing by 23% and 60% respectively, to the regional GDP, vis-a-vis the national shares of 24% and 69% respectively (1998). Citrus fruits, olives, potatoes and cheese are the main products of the activity of the primary sector.

General assessment of the potential per RES in the region

Wind potential

The region of Peloponnisos presents a significant wind potential especially at the east areas of the region (prefecture of Lakonia, east Arkadia, and Argolida).
Some large measurement campaigns have been done by CRES in order to assess the potential and a good mapping of the local wind energy resource has been implemented.

Hydro potential

The hydro potential of the area is quite significant and well identified. The area under investigation covers mostly all central and east Peloponnisos hydrographic region, which is characterized by mountainous rivers. The potential of this area has already been investigated trough measurement campaigns and a good mapping of the local hydro-energy resource has been developed by CRES.
Part of it is already exploited, through the operation of a 70 MW hydroelectric power plant installed at Ladonas.

Biomass potential

The most significant biomass potential comes from residues of agriculture and wood in very large quantities. This biomass potential is estimated to be of great significance, since in the area exist a significant number of agro-food industries.

Solar potential

The Solar potential of this Department is also significantly important. The solar potential of this area has already been investigated and a good mapping of the local solar energy resource has been developed by CRES.

Energy characteristics of the region - Electricity network problems

In 1998 final energy consumption in the region is 600.45 ktoe. 56% of the total energy is consumed in the transportation sector, 19% in the tertiary, 10% in domestic sector and 5% in the primary sector. The shares of the different energy forms in total final consumption in the region are: diesel 45, gas-oil 33%, electricity 19% and heavy fuel oil 3%.

The electrical system of the region belongs to the interconnected greek system. The region has lignite mines. So, an 850 MW lignite-fired power plant has been installed in the region and consumes the locally produced lignite. As it has been mentioned before, a 70 MW hydroelectric plant operates also in the region.

The electricity network of the region presents significant problems, especially at the south-east part of the region, due to the moderate development of this area. Apart of this, the facts that in the region there are no H.V. circuits of more than 150 kV and the bottleneck that appears at the interconnections of the region to the other Greek system (Korinthos and Rio), make the stability of the electrical system weak.

CRES has already granted Public Power Corporation, which is the owner of the system, to carry out a grid expansion study, in order to be technically feasible the penetration of RES to power plants (especially wind parks). The already programmed grid expansion, based on the study above, which estimates the technical feasibility of RES penetration, and the significant investors interest in the region, forejudge an extensive RES to power plant development.

Financing environment for RES

The financing environment in Greece is not one of the most appropriate for RES installations:

		No ESCO’S
		Most RES investments are held by private construction agencies, in coordination with foreign technology manufacturers (e.g. ENERCON), or private banks. The involvement of the Local Authorities into RES investments is still very low.
		Loans have 10-years payback period, and the interest is about 6% (plus inflation).

Promotional policies for RES - Subsidies

The promotional policy in Greece seems to be very attractive for RES stations:

		High, fixed price for the energy produced, different for the mainland and the islands autonomous systems, and a 10 year contract with PPC
		Subsidy 40% of the investment cost
		Taxes 35% of the net profit

Existing RES installations or planned installations
(applications, licenses)

Despite that existence of significant RES potential in the region and apart of the 70 MW hydro-electric power plant that is installed at Ladonas, there are not other RES plants for electricity generation. Recently a significant commercial interest for such RES investments has been expressed in the region.