Terna Energy Secures Environmental Approval for Major Pumped Storage Project in Northern Greece

Northern Greece is emerging as a critical hub for large-scale energy storage, with several twin pumped storage hydropower (PSH) systems moving through the regulatory pipeline. In the latest development, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has granted environmental clearance—specifically the Approval of Environmental Terms (AEPO)—for the first phase of the Vrohonera project.

The Vrohonera endeavor is being spearheaded by Terna Energy, a subsidiary of Masdar. This milestone follows closely on the heels of similar approvals granted to the Katselis family for their nearby Flampouro and Trani Vrachi twin PSH projects.

Pumped storage hydropower design

Strategic Location and Technical Specifications

Located southeast of Veria in the Imathia region of Central Macedonia, the Vrohonera complex will utilize the Agia Varvara artificial lake as its lower reservoir. This reservoir is situated on the Haliacmon (Aliakmonas) River, Greece’s longest waterway.

The project has seen significant scaling since its initial “producer certificates” were issued in 2021:

• Vrohonera 1: The latest AEPO outlines a generation capacity of 450 MW via three turbines and a pumping capacity of 537 MW. This represents a substantial increase from the 2021 proposal of 401 MW and 372 MW, respectively.

• Vrohonera 2: Initial proposals for the second phase included 131.5 MW in production and 217.8 MW in pumping capacity.

• Storage & Efficiency: Integrated into the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) development plan, the combined Vrohonera complex is designed to provide 8 GWh of storage with an estimated cycle efficiency of 73% and an operational lifespan of 50 years.

The total investment for the Vrohonera complex is valued at €1.1 billion, with commissioning currently targeted for 2031.

Expanding the PSH Portfolio

Terna Energy’s commitment to Greek energy storage extends beyond Vrohonera. The company is currently executing several other high-stakes projects included in the ENTSO-E list:

1. Amfilochia: This flagship PSH plant is nearing the finish line, with completion expected within the current year.

2. Ladonas: A joint venture with the Public Power Corp. (PPC Group), this 220 MW generation (231 MW pumping) facility is slated for completion in 2032 and will provide 2 GWh of storage capacity.

3. Amari: Located on Crete, this project represents a sophisticated hybrid PSH and wind power solution, further diversifying Greece’s largest island’s energy mix.

By advancing these projects, Terna Energy and Masdar are positioning themselves as primary architects of Greece’s energy transition, providing the long-duration storage essential for a renewables-heavy grid.