Meton Energy commissions 930 MWp of solar in Northern Greece
RWE and PPC are developing solar capacity in Greece through their joint venture, Meton Energy, which is owned 51% by RWE and 49% by PPC. The companies have commissioned 930 MWp of solar in Northern Greece. The installations are built on the site of the former Amynteo open-cast lignite mine. The projects are expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply more than 400,000 households annually.
Repurposing lignite sites and leveraging existing regional assets
The shift involves converting former coal mining areas into large-scale solar generation sites. Such regions can draw on existing grid infrastructure, experienced energy-sector workforces, transport networks and political support for economic transition. By repurposing lignite locations for renewable power, the developments maintain an energy role for these areas while replacing fossil fuel production with electricity generation from solar. The programme is positioned as part of industrial and regional transformation.
Additional 567 MWp planned in Central Macedonia
RWE and PPC are also building an additional 567 MWp of solar capacity in Central Macedonia. In parallel, PPC has set a target to reach 19 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. The expansion is expected to support activity across the energy value chain, including EPC contractors, grid equipment manufacturers, battery storage providers and corporate offtakers. These parties are linked to demand for reliable sources of clean electricity.
Market integration and zero or negative price mechanisms
As solar output increases, market integration becomes more important for power trading conditions. Higher levels of solar generation are likely to put downward pressure on electricity prices during peak production hours, increasing attention on price cannibalization. Greece’s evolving support mechanisms for periods of zero or negative electricity prices are intended to align market rules with renewable deployment. Continued investment in battery storage, grid modernization and flexible electricity market design is highlighted as relevant to utility-scale solar performance in former lignite regions.
