Green Power Wasted: Greece Sees Record Renewable Energy Cuts in 2025

Asharp rise in renewable energy production cuts has been recorded in Greece during the first five months of 2025, confirming analysts’ predictions that curtailments could reach 10% of total renewable output this year—up from just 3.5% in 2024.

According to a new report released on Wednesday, July 2, by the environmental think tank Green Tank, a staggering 975 GWh of renewable energy were curtailed between January 1 and June 1, already surpassing the total annual curtailments for 2024, which stood at 899 GWh. This means that 8.9% of all renewable energy produced during this five-month period was effectively wasted.

May and June See the Sharpest Cuts Yet

In May alone, 383 GWh of renewable energy was curtailed—14.7% of monthly output—despite a 3.8% rise in electricity demand from April.

June followed the same trend, marking a break from past summers when high demand absorbed excess supply. Analysts link the cuts to a surge in solar power and limited export capacity, which strain grid stability.

Renewable Energy Tops the Mix—But at a Cost

Despite the setbacks, May marked a high point for green energy generation, placing renewables at the top of the power generation mix. Cumulatively, renewables delivered 9,935 GWh in the first five months of 2025, outpacing natural gas for the first time.

Exports were also robust, with Greece becoming a net exporter of electricity in May, sending out 565 GWh—its highest monthly export volume in over a decade.

Energy Storage Could Ease Renewable Energy Curtailments

The introduction of energy storage units could help reduce the need to cut back on renewable energy production — cuts that are currently made for grid stability. This would prevent the waste of zero-cost energy and protect existing renewable projects, whose business plans did not account for energy losses due to curtailment.

Source: tovima.com