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Greece Law 3851/2010 (RES Acceleration, Grid Priority & Simplified Licensing)

Greece Law 3851/2010 (RES Acceleration, Grid Priority & Simplified Licensing): Greece’s Early Renewable Energy Framework: Key Rules in Law 3851/2010

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on December 8th, 2025

Summary

Greece’s Law 3851/2010 accelerates renewable energy deployment, granting priority grid access and streamlining licensing procedures. It set early national renewable targets and simplified approvals for various RES technologies. Although updated by later laws, it remains foundational for Greek renewable policy and continues to influence grid and licensing frameworks.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Greece
Exemptions

Binding for renewable developers, public authorities and grid operators.

They must:

Follow simplified but mandatory renewable licensing procedures.

Respect priority dispatch and grid-access policies.

Meet environmental permitting rules consistent with EU environmental law.

Exceptions:

Very small rooftop PV and micro-wind projects may follow simplified approvals.

Projects in highly protected areas face strict limitations or exclusions.

Deep dive

1 min read
Updated Dec 8, 2025

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What’s Required

Law 3851/2010 was one of the earliest Greek laws to accelerate renewable energy deployment. It establishes:

  • Priority dispatch for renewable electricity.

  • Streamlined RES licensing procedures and faster decision timelines.

  • National renewable energy targets aligned with EU directives.

  • Simplifications for small and medium-scale renewable plants.

  • Land-use rules supporting wind and solar siting, with strong environmental constraints where needed.

Important Deadlines

  • Law active from 2010, with later amendments.

  • Licensing timelines codified in the law influenced subsequent reforms (including Law 4685/2020).

Current Status

Although newer laws supersede many procedures, Law 3851/2010 remains historically significant and still relevant for grid-priority rules and some transitional rights held by earlier RES projects.

Penalties

  • Delays or non-compliance with permitting rules can result in loss of licensing rights.

  • Sanctions for RES operators violating operating, environmental, or grid rules.

Examples of Violations

  • Early cases where wind or PV projects were installed without full permitting.

  • Grid constraints leading to curtailment or disputes over priority access.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Dec 10, 2025 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on Dec 8, 2025