*2.2. Prospects for the Future*

The National Energy and Climate Planning (NECP) was issued in 2019 with the view to present the long-term energy targets set for the country's energy sector, in accordance with the recent European Directives. Among the targets set is the reduction of greenhouse gases up to 56% (with reference levels of year 2005), the gradual decommissioning of lignite power plants by 2028 and the increase of the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in gross electricity consumption up to 60% [26].

The installed capacity of hydropower plants is not expected to increase significantly, since hydropotential has been already exploited to a great extent and environmental

constraints prevent its further development in Greece. However, there is a potential for development of reverse hydro-pumped storage, since reverse pumped storage units could be constructed within the facilities of existing hydropower plants without raising major environmental issues. The installation of storage facilities is essential, in view of the excess energy due to the higher penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources and may provide more flexibility to the system. The interconnection of mainland's power system with the small autonomous ones on the islands is essential, in order to construct a unified system, exploit further the abundant Renewable Energy Sources (RES) potential, withdraw local oil stations and secure power supply on the islands. In parallel, it is expected that the power supply in Greece will be based more on renewable energy sources, while the role of lignite will be reduced and eventually eliminated by 2028. Overall, the main target set towards 2050 is the gradual decarbonization of the power generation sector and its transition to a more sustainable future through the higher integration of renewable sources [26].
