Delfini Solar — Cero Generation’s 100MW solar farm in Greece — is now operational, as it generates 157GWh of electricity annually. Built on challenging mountainous terrain, the project connects to Greece’s Electricity Transmission System via a 10km network of overhead lines.
A Milestone for Greece's Renewable Energy
Cero Generation has achieved a significant milestone in Greece with the commercial operation of its 100MW Delfini Solar farm. The project is set to generate 157GWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power 58,140 homes.
The Delfini Solar Project is a major development in the renewable energy sector in Greece. It is located on mountainous terrain, making the construction a challenging but rewarding endeavour. The PV array connects to a 33/150kV high-voltage substation via a 2.5km medium-voltage line.
This substation includes a 110MVA step-up transformer. Additionally, the project features a 10km network of overhead lines. These lines consist of 29 overhead line towers that connect the solar farm to Greece's Electricity Transmission System, which is operated by IPTO (ADMIE).
Delfini Solar Farm: Pioneering Financial Model and EU Support
Delfini Solar Plant stands out not just for its size and output but also for its innovative financing model. The Solar Farm did not rely on government subsidies for its electricity costs. Instead, it secured a long-term private power purchase agreement (PPA) with Axpo.
Image: Collected
Cero Generation emphasised that the solar farm is also the first renewable energy project in Greece to benefit from the Next Generation EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. The solar farm will also help reduce carbon emissions by 65,300 tonnes of CO2e each year.
Cero Generation's Expanding Renewable Portfolio
Cero Generation's 26GW portfolio is among the largest in Europe, and Delfini Solar Farm is a significant addition to its operations. The company currently has over 600MW of projects either in operation or under construction.
Marta Martinez Queimadelos, Cero Generation's chief executive, expressed her delight after the Delfini Solar project. She noted that the project is now producing cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy for the Drama region.
Queimadelos praised the Cero team for their vision, tenacity, and engineering excellence in bringing this complex and ambitious project to fruition. She highlighted that solar project is a landmark project for Greece.
Axpo’s country manager in Greece, Machias Vasileios echoed Queimadelos’ sentiments. He expressed pride in facilitating the landmark PPA agreement. Vasileios pointed to Axpo's long-standing expertise in PPAs across various energy markets.
Ameresco SUNEL Energy: A Key Player in Project Execution
The successful construction and completion of the Delfini Solar project were carried out by Ameresco SUNEL Energy S.A. — a joint venture established in Greece. George Sakellaris, the chief executive of Ameresco, expressed his pride in being part of such a significant project.
Sakellaris noted that the solar project is a historic milestone as one of the first private solar power purchase agreements in Greece. He highlighted the project's role in paving the way for future agreements that will bring both economic and environmental benefits to Greece.
Konstantinos Zygouras, chief executive of Sunel Group also shared his thoughts on the completion of the Delfini Solar project. Zygouras praised the project for exemplifying Sunel Group's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
He pointed out that Delfini Solar Farm will directly benefit the local community by delivering more affordable energy to the grid. Zygouras expressed pride in leading the way in creating sustainable energy solutions.
The Delfini solar project by Cero Generation marks a significant achievement in Greece’s renewable energy landscape. With its impressive output and innovative financing model, it is set to play a crucial role in the country’s energy transition.