Industrial firm readies for top court action over transfer ban

A major-scale industrial enterprise is preparing to file an appeal at the Council of State, the country’s Supreme Administrative Court, against a recent ministerial decision that prevents clients with unpaid overdue electricity bills from switching to another power supplier. A specialized law firm hired for the task is preparing the case, energypress sources have informed.

Former energy minister Panos Skourletis, who was replaced last Friday as part of a wider government reshuffle, imposed the client switching measure earlier this year.

The measure also allows previous suppliers to order the grid operator to disrupt electricity supply in the event that payback schedules are not being serviced as planned, even if clients have already switched to a new supplier.

The ministerial decision was implemented to protect PPC, the main power utility, as a result of client transfers to alternate suppliers despite amounts owed to the utility.

Also, certain major consumers are unable to register for PPC’s payback program as they cannot cover initial amounts needed. Many of these clients are taking legal action against PPC as they do not recognize the amounts owed for a variety of reasons.