On 8 December 2020 the Ministry of Environment and Energy issued a decision (OJ B' 5619/2020) on the formation of a working group which will prepare a proposal for the ministry on:

[a]dopting the legal framework for the development and participation of electricity storage units in the Electricity Markets of the law 4425/2016 (regulating the Energy Exchange) as amended, and the Capacity Mechanism.

This step is necessary for securing the electricity supply in Greece and ensuring the participation of storage units and renewable energy source (RES) plants with storage units in the electricity markets of the energy exchange and the capacity mechanism.

The proposal should be submitted to the ministry by 15 May 2021 and should address the following issues:

  • the framework for licensing and participating in the electricity markets of the interconnected system for electricity storage units with an independent connection point to the grid (storage before the meter) or as part of a portfolio of other RES units for joint participation in the market;
  • the framework for licensing, operating and participating in the electricity markets for storage units situated within a production or consumption plant (storage behind the meter); and
  • the framework for licensing and operating storage units on the non-interconnected islands.

The storage regulation should aim to enable and regulate the following, in particular:

  • the participation of storage units in the electricity markets as independent participants or through representatives;
  • the connection of storage units to the grid and their use of the grid;
  • the participation of storage units in any future capacity mechanism;
  • the installation and efficient exploitation of dispersed units in producer, consumer or self-consumer plants or equipment; and
  • the harmonisation of the Greek regulatory framework with the EU acquis and practices of other EU countries.

In its decision, the ministry appointed the working group members and provided that they may invite representatives of other authorities, organisations or associations or experts in financial, technical sciences or other relevant subjects to participate in the working group or provide an opinion.