Title: Potential economic and environmental benefits from the interconnection of the Greek islands

Authors: Eleni Zafeiratou; Catalina Spataru

Addresses: Energy Institute, UCL, Central House, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK ' Energy Institute, UCL, Central House, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK

Abstract: Greece consists of 58 non-interconnected islands, located mainly in the Aegean Sea. Electricity is supplied to this region by 32 autonomous power systems (APS) using heavy fuel oil or diesel power generators. A number of interconnections between the islands and the national grid system have been scheduled for the upcoming years. In this paper, we analyse the economic and environmental benefits following the interconnections. It was concluded that Greece could save between 2015 and 2040, from 9.73 to 17.82 billion Euros, subject to fuel price costs and demand growth. These amounts are charged to the Greek power customers through a cross subsidisation policy known as public service obligation. Additionally, avoided costs for APS upgrade, range between 2.63 and 1.80 billion Euros. Interconnectors will also reduce the carbon footprint in the area by 51.1%-65.5% compared to the scenario of preserving APS. This is attributed mainly to renewable energy development reaching proportions of 84.7%-119% of the total power demand by 2040.

Keywords: autonomous power systems; carbon emissions; Greek islands; interconnections; public service obligation; projections; renewable energy; wind energy; submarine cables; energy scenarios.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2017.087211

International Journal of Global Warming, 2017 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.426 - 458

Received: 04 Sep 2015
Accepted: 01 Feb 2016
Published online: 11 Oct 2017 *

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