Greece’s offshore wind market build-out has faced a legal setback after the Athens Administrative Court of Appeal revoked production licences for two pilot developments in the northern Aegean. The decision places the projects on a longer legal path as the developers seek further review.
Court ruling targets fixed-bottom projects off Evros
The ruling followed a challenge by the Municipality of Samothrace. It affects fixed-bottom projects planned offshore Evros, northeast of the island. The developments are described as part of a broader pilot programme for offshore wind in the region.
PPC is developing one scheme with a stated capacity of 216 MW. TERNA Energy and Motor Oil are promoting a second development of approximately 400 MW. Together, the projects are generally presented as a combined 600 MW pilot programme, although their individually stated capacities total 616 MW.
The final installed capacity would depend on turbine selection, grid allocation and the configuration accepted through permitting. Both projects were licensed before Greece adopted its National Offshore Wind Development Programme. After that framework was introduced, the developments were incorporated into national strategy as demonstration schemes.
Role in permitting testing and floating offshore targets
The two pilot developments were allocated 600 MW within the government’s recently identified 2.35 GW offshore wind envelope. Their stated purpose includes testing permitting procedures and establishing grid-connection arrangements. They were also intended to provide Greek contractors, ports and service providers with their first participation in an offshore wind supply chain.
The projects were also expected to support Greece’s target of developing approximately 1.3 GW of floating offshore wind by 2032. The developers are expected to challenge the ruling before the Council of State, Greece’s highest administrative court.
Transmission access secured, but licence and spatial approval disputed
The projects have already secured access to transmission capacity, but grid reservation alone cannot offset an unresolved production licence and contested spatial approval. The court decision does not terminate the developments, but it changes how risk is allocated across the programme. Environmental and municipal consent has shifted from a development-stage issue to a central financing condition for Greece’s offshore wind programme.
Indicative capital requirements for fixed-bottom offshore wind in the northern Aegean covering 600-616 MW could range from €1.8 billion to €2.5 billion. The estimate depends on water depth, foundation design, port infrastructure, grid works and financing costs. Annual operating expenditure could reach €55-85 million.
If capacity factors of 40-48% are achieved, generation would be roughly 2.1-2.6 TWh per year. A legal delay of 12-18 months could reduce equity returns by approximately 1.5-3 percentage points, linked to additional development spending, financing carry and delayed revenue, as well as potential changes in turbine or construction pricing. A prolonged dispute could also require new environmental studies or alterations to project boundaries.
