The energy ministry is having second thoughts about implementing one of its six RES-supporting measures, a mechanism that would enable savings resulting from electricity grid interconnections of the islands with the mainland grid to be channeled to RES producers through an increase of a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge included in electricity bills.
The ministry’s proposed mechanism, which now appears to be in doubt as studies indicate it would be superfluous, would decrease the public service compensation (YKO) covered by consumers to support production on non-interconnected islands and increase the ETMEAR surcharge by a corresponding amount.
Five other measures legislated to ensure the sustainability of the RES special account, currently in deficit territory, appear sufficient, the energy ministry believes.
Commenting on the sixth measure during a Parliamentary session, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis suggested it may not be implemented as related studies indicate the measure is unnecessary.
The series of measures already introduced are strong enough to weather any further deterioration of the crisis, the minister added.
Last Friday, Thanassis Dagoumas, the chief official at RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, noted that an ETMEAR surcharge increase for 2021 will not be needed, meaning this charge should remain unchanged. The authority must deliver a decision on the matter by the end of this month.