The second phase of the construction process of the large-scale 490 MW Megalopoli PV plant begins, a project that aims to transform former lignite sites into a green energy hub.

Specifically, following the signing of the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract between PPC Renewables and TERNA, the second phase of the 490 MW PV project begins, with the construction of an additional 125 MW on a total area of ​​approximately 494 acres on the Megalopoli mine site.

The first phase of the PV park, with a capacity of 125 MW, is already under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The third phase of the project, which aims to build a photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 240 MW, is expected to start in 2026.

For the current phase, in which 125 MW are being built, approximately 215,000 bifacial photovoltaic panels placed on fixed structures will be used and will be connected to the existing Megalopoli extra-high voltage substation via a new high voltage substation at the “Neo Choremi” site.

With an installed capacity of 490 MW, annual electricity production is estimated to reach 860 GWh. This production capacity can meet the energy needs of 215,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by 430,000 tons annually.

The PPC Group is constantly strengthening its green portfolio, acting quickly to put the large-scale photovoltaic park into operation, with a total capacity of 490 MW. The company has already built and operates a 50 MW photovoltaic plant in Megalopoli, so upon completion of the project, PPC Group will have 540 MW of photovoltaic energy in the area of ​​former lignite mines.

Deputy CEO of PPC Renewables, PPC Group, Konstantinos Mavros, said: “Our new ambitious plan places this area at the forefront of the energy transition. Just like in Ptolemais, where old lignite power plants were transformed into large photovoltaic complexes, the Megalopoli photovoltaic park will replace lignite production, thus ensuring the historical continuity of this region in the country’s energy supply.”

In line with its three-year strategic plan, between 2025 and 2027, PPC Group will develop an additional 5.6 GW of green energy in Greece and the wider South-Eastern Europe region, with the aim of increasing its installed RES capacity to 11.8 GW by 2027.

The main development arm of PPC Group’s green energy portfolio is its wholly-owned subsidiary, PPC Renewables. The company has been an innovator, both nationally and European-wide, in the wind and solar energy sector since the 1980s. It brings innovation not only to Greece but also to South-Eastern Europe, through its involvement in all RES technologies, as well as in battery energy storage systems. Currently, PPC Group has a total renewable energy project portfolio of 6.2 GW installed capacity in Greece, Romania, Italy and Bulgaria. The objective of the PPC Group’s investment plan is to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy to 11.8 GW by 2027.