The 2+2 new power generation units in Greece

26.04.2024 – 07.00

They are working at full capacity in order to deliver the power generation units in Komotini and Alexandroupolis, so that together with the unit in Agios Nikolaos Boiotias and “Ptolemaida V” which have been delivered and are already contributing to the system, they will strengthen the country’s energy transition.

Thermoelectric Komotini

More ready to be delivered is the new Komotini power generation unit of GEK TERNA- Motor Oil, which will be interconnected with the national electricity transmission system at KYT Nea Santas, Kilkis, the termination point of the second interconnecting 400 KV transmission line with Bulgaria.

In particular, the delivery of the project is expected in the third quarter of the year.

It is the country’s largest unit with a capacity of 877MW and its investment amounts to 375 million euros. Its energy efficiency is at 64%. It will emit 75% less CO2 emissions than a lignite unit.

The state-of-the-art station is of strategic importance since it comes to meet the increased needs for electricity in our country, which will be created due to the gradual withdrawal of lignite production units. It is a vital project for the development of the region but also for the energy security of the country.

Power generation of Alexandroupoli

At the beginning of 2023, the construction of the 840MW power plant with natural gas fuel began, while the work is progressing dynamically. Alexandroupolis Power Generation is the joint company of PPC (51%), DEPA Emporias (29%) and Damco Energy (20%). The investment amounts to 400 million euros and its construction and commercial operation is expected to be completed in approximately 24 months, while it will replace three lignite units.

The new unit, combined cycle fueled by natural gas, is being built on a privately owned plot of land of 181 acres with an installed capacity of 840MW and an annual output of 5TWH. Natural gas will be used as fuel, however the new production station will have the possibility of hydrogen combustion as well as mixed operation, which makes it compatible and fully supportive of the national and European planning for the gradual transition to green energy.

The thermoelectric plant is of a “Single Shaft” configuration and has been designed with the highest degree of efficiency of 63% for units of this technology, which implies a high exploitation factor. The high degree of efficiency will enable the new Unit – in addition to lower fuel consumption – to have lower carbon dioxide emissions.

At the “heart” of the new plant will be placed a 571 MW General Electric gas turbine, fueled by natural gas, and a 269 MW, three pressure steam turbine, with direct connection to the generator. The General Electric type W88 generator, rated at 948 MVA, will be synchronous, three-phase, common-shaft connected.

Agios Nikolaos Boeotia Power Plant from Mytilineos

The natural gas power plant (CCGT) of Mytilineos in Agios Nikolaos in Viotia is already strengthening the system. The electricity capacity is at 826 MW.

It is an investment of around 300 million euros and the “H-Class” gas turbine is the first of this class to be installed in Greece. With a thermal efficiency of 63%, less natural gas is needed for its operation than the rest of the units in the system, which have an efficiency close to 50%. Thus, it is already replacing older natural gas plants as it produces energy with less fuel.

With this investment, Mytilineos became the first private company to contribute to the national energy system with a state-of-the-art unit, in view of the country’s energy transition.

Ptolemais V

“Ptolemaida V”, the most modern lignite unit in the country – and one of the most modern internationally – has been added to the country’s energy potential, which formally came under the responsibility of PPC shortly before the expiration of 2023. It is the largest energy investment of the decade, amounting to 1.5 billion euros, which was implemented by TERNA.

The new unit is installed in North-West Greece, inside the old “Komanou” mine, at a distance of about 4 km from the existing AIS Ptolemaida and 8 km from the city of Ptolemaida.

Fueled by pulverized lignite, it has the potential to produce a combined electric power of 660 MWel and provide thermal power of 140 MWth for district heating (for Ptolemaida).

It should be noted that it has already been used in some critical phases, contributing to energy production and system stability.