Net-Metering

Updated: 07.01.2019

Author: Georgios Maroulis

In 2014, a net metering system for autonomous producers was for the first time introduced in Greece. The net metering process is described in FEK B’ 3583/2014. Furthermore, “virtual net metering” was introduced in 2016 (art. 2  Law No. 3428/2006). Especially city/regional councils, schools, universities, farmers and farming associations will be allowed to develop PV and wind power projects of up to 500 kWp, if installations are located at a considerable distance from the place of the actual power consumption (art.14A par.4 Law No.3468/2006). A new but very similar (virtual) net metering scheme has been introduced in 2017.

 

 

Eligible technologies

PV, small wind power plants, biomass, biogas, small hydro and CHP for self-production are eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

Solar energy

PV plants connected to the grid are eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

For the interconnected system: PV plants <20kW or 50% of the agreed capacity consumption (PV Capacity ≤0.5 x Sum of the agreed power consumption (kVA). For non-profit legal person this could reach up to 100%.

For non-interconnected islands connected to low voltage distribution network: PV plants <10kW or 50% of the agreed capacity consumption (PV Capacity ≤0.5 x Sum of the agreed power consumption (kVA). For non-profit legal person this could reach up to 100%.

Island of Crete PV plants: <20kW or 50% of the agreed capacity consumption (PV Capacity ≤0.5 x Sum of the agreed power consumption (kVA). For non-profit legal person this could reach up to 100%.

(art. 1 par.2 FEK B’ 3583/2014 and art.1 par.2 Min. Res./F1/175067).

 

Max. capacity limits for each PV plant are defined:

  • Interconnected system: 500kWp
  • Non-interconnected islands: 20kWp (50kWp for non-profit legal person)
  • Island of Crete: 100kWp (300kWp for non-profit legal person).

Biogas

Biogas plants are eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

Wind energy

Wind power plants up to 50 kW connected to the mainland grid is eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

Hydro-power

Small-scale hydro-power is eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

Biomass

Biomass and CHP is eligible (art.14A Law No.3468/2006).

Amount

Primarily, the electricity produced by an installation or plant is offset with self-consumed energy. Any surplus electricity is fed into the grid without any obligation for remuneration. Apart from that, PV installed on public buildings in the context of the EU funded programmes can receive up to 20% of the value of the total annual electricity production (art.14A par.4 Law No.3468/2006). 

Addressees

Entitled party. Natural persons or legal persons governed by public or private law that they own/ rent the space in which the RES plants are installed (art. 14a par.1 Law No.3468/2006 and art.3 par.1a Min. Res. /F1/oik.175067). For PV (and other RES) virtual net-metering non-profit legal persons are only entitled (art.3 par.1a Min. Res. /F1/oik.175067 and art. 14a par.1 Law No.3468/2006). Furthermore, Energy Communities can participate to the net metering scheme (art. 10 Law No. 4153/2018).

Obligated party. The persons obligated are the grid operators (art. 2 par. 1 in conjunction with art. 12 par. 1 Law No. 3468/2006).

Procedure

Process flow

Net metering process follows an annual cycle. Each time the electricity retailer issues an electricity bill, the electricity fed into grid and the electricity consumed has to be measured. If the difference is positive, meaning that more electricity is produced and fed into the grid than consumed, this surplus is credited to the next electricity bill. However, any surpluses after the end of the year will not be disbursed by the electricity retailer to the self-producing electricity consumer and will be annulled. If the difference is negative, i.e. more electricity was consumed than produced, and then the plant/ installation operator is obliged to pay the difference (art.2. FEK B’ 3583/2014).

The new PV (virtual) net metering scheme follows an identical process. However, it follows a three year cycle, while there is a liquidation procedure, when the PV plant operator switches to another electricity retailer (art.4 Min. Res./F1/oik.175067).

 

 

Competent authority

Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO)

Distribution of costs

Distribution mechanism

No costs are incurred for the State (art.2 FEK B’ 3583/2014). However, it should be noted that the new PV (virtual) net metering scheme foresees how the surplus of electricity is introduced as an accounting record in the “Special Account for RES and CHP” (art.6 Min. Res. F1/oik.175067).

 

 

Greece

Further information

  • Διαχειριστής του Ελληνικού Δικτύου Διανομής Ηλεκτρικής Ενέργειας - Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO)
  • +30 210 9281698
  • HEDNO website
  • infodeddie(at)deddie.gr