The wind parks (WP) are composed of ranges of windgenerators (WG) that convert wind energy to electricity; this is how the exploitation of the local wind potential – that constitutes an inexhaustible natural source – takes place. The operation of the WP does no require raw material, except for the wind energy, and does not dispose any form of waste or sewage; also, the product is directly transferred to the PPC grid for consumption, and consequently no form of raw material or products’ transformation is required.

LEGISLATION – LICENSE GRANTING

According to the enforced legislation (Law 2244/94 and 2773/99) PPC is obliged to buy the energy produced by the individuals. The selling price of the KWh has to do with the invoices of the consumers. Specifically, for the interconnected grid and for the Independent Producer the selling price is defined to the 90% of the Β2 invoice. Also, a fixed business environment is provided upon the signing of long term (10 years) electricity purchase agreements. Additionally, through the developmental law 2601/98 the WP are financed with a 40% that leads to a payment-in-full of the investment from 2 – 7 years, depending on the wind potential of the area and the nominal power of the station. An alternative financing may be obtained through Community Programs (Business Energy Program).

The land layout constitutes a necessary condition for the issuance of the installation license of the wind station. For the installation of the wind station besides the installation license the production license is also required, the receipt of which requires 1 to 2 years, while the operation license is issued after the station’s installation.

As far as the receipt of the production license is concerned, based on the law 2773/99, an independent authority has been formed, the Regulatory Authority of Energy (RAE), to which the interested investors / companies / consortiums submit an application and a study file. RAE in its turn, examines every application separately and forms an opinion about it· this opinion is publicized to the Minister of Development, who takes the final decision about the production license granting or not.

CRITERIA OF SUITABLE POSITIONING FOR A WP INSTALLATION

The high wind potential of the examined area does not constitute the only criteria for its choice. Other parameters that have to be included in the evaluation are: