The connection of the first Electricity Storage System batteries to the Greek grid is a small but significant step toward Greece's energy future, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou said after the event on Wednesday.

He added that it is a milestone in boosting energy security and accelerating the country's energy transition. "The first storage units are incorporated in the system, providing critical flexibility, facilitating the increased penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), limiting production cuts in RES production and contributing to meeting peak demands. At the same time, the gradual incorporation of more storage works is put on track, further boosting the electricity system's stability and efficiency."

Papastavrou said that the successful integration of the first storage systems was a result of coordinated actions between the Environment & Energy Minister, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY), Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), and EXE SA. "Together we are building a more stable and modern system," Papastavrou underlined.

As is known, the incorporation of batteries of several hundred megawatts in the Greek grid are on track. They will absorb excess RES energy and release it when RES production is lower than demand, thus limiting the thermal production of electricity.