Analyzing the Present Situation and the Future Prospects of Small Hydro Power Plants in Greece

摘要

Hydropower is the most widely used renewable energy source worldwide, contributing with almost 20% to the fulfilment of the planet electricity demand. Greece and more precisely the west part of the mainland possesses significant hydro-power potential which has been up to now partially exploited. The present survey investigates the existing situation concerning the applications of small hydro power plants. In this context the existing small hydro power plants are presented along with the corresponding legal and financial framework. Subsequently, the opportunities offered for further exploitation of the local hydro potential are analyzed in view of the local techno-economic conditions. Finally, the future prospects for substantial creation of small hydro power plants are examined. It is important to note that almost 600MW of new hydro power have currently obtain official electricity production permission from the local authorities. According to the results obtained, one may state that the available local hydro-power potential is quite promising and can substantially contribute to the realization of the E.U. target to increase by 4500MW the small hydro power capacity before the year 2010.