MARTA MARTINEZ QUEIMADELO

Marta Martinez Queimadelos, CEO of Cero, speaking at the Project Delfini launch event

CERO GENERATION

LAUNCHES LANDMARK SOLAR PROJECT IN GREECE

Arthur Spyrou (Australian ambassador to Greece) and Konstantinos Zygouras (CEO of Sunel) Cero Generation, a leading solar energy developer working across Europe, has celebrated the launch of a 100 MW solar PV project in Greece, with an event at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens.

The project, known as Delfini, marks an important step for Greece’s green energy transition and the next phase of renewables for the country. Located in Prosotsani Drama, it is one of the largest solar projects of its kind and one of the first in the country with a private Power Purchase Agreement, which means it will receive subsidy-free revenue certainty and offer final consumers immediate access to cheaper, clean energy.

Senior Greek government officials, including the Minister of Energy and Environment and the Minister of Development &

Investment, gathered alongside key industry figures, such as Christos Megalou, CEO of Piraeus Bank, and Domenico De Luca, CEO of Axpo Solutions, to mark the project launch. Bringing together the public and private sectors, the event recognised the vast impact that this first-of-its kind project will have on consumers, businesses, and the environment.

At a time of huge change for the global energy sector, the urgency of the energy transition has been brought into sharp focus. Delfini will accelerate progress towards Greece’s goals of reaching a 70% renewables share in locally consumed power by 2030 and ambitious 2050 net-zero targets. Once constructed, it will result in the avoidance of 86,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year and produce electricity for 15,000 households.

Greece, like many other European countries, is currently wrestling with sharp rises in energy bills driven by sky-rocketing gas prices. The Delfini project will crucially deliver cheaper energy into the grid and bring down costs for consumers. The project is a prime example of how Greece is determined to get ahead of the curve and set the stage for a future where all energy needs will be covered by electricity from renewable sources.

The project, which reached financial close in August, marks a significant milestone for Cero as the company is expanding its footprint in Greece and advancing its plans to become Europe’s leading solar development company. Despite only being in the Greek market for a year, Cero’s Greek development pipeline is already sizeable, with extensive further growth planned.

CEO of Cero, Marta Martinez Queimadelos, shared a few words on the upcoming project and success in getting it off the ground.

“We are delighted to have been joined by the Greek Ministers of Energy and Environment, and Development and Investment to celebrate this landmark project. Against the backdrop of an ongoing energy crisis, we’re helping to deliver cheaper, cleaner power across the country and supporting the government’s ambitious transition goals. This project is an important step in the expansion of Cero’s Greek portfolio and one of many market-leading projects in our pipeline.” c

Event to celebrate Cero’s Project Delfini at Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens, 13th July 2022

Pictured above (from left to right): Domenico De Luca (CEO of Axpo Solutions), Marta Martinez Queimadelos (CEO of Cero), Britta MacIntosh (Senior VP of Ameresco, London), Christos Megalou (CEO of Piraeus Bank), and Konstantinos Zygouras (CEO of Sunel).

Cero Generation is a leading solar energy company, working across Europe to support the transition to a net-zero future, for this and every generation.

Active throughout the project lifecycle, from development through to construction and operations, its highly experienced team collaborates with local partners to bring worldclass industrial, commercial and technical expertise to our projects.

Cero’s 9 GW solar development portfolio is one of the largest in Europe, covering both utility-scale and on-site generation projects, as well as integrated energy storage solutions. Dedicated to delivering high-quality, high-performing assets, Cero provides corporate and industrial clients with the solutions to accelerate their pathway to a net-zero future.

Cero is an independent portfolio company of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG) operating on a stand-alone basis.

Media enquiries contact: cero@standagency.com • www.cerogeneration.com