The European Commission has offered preliminary approval, still unofficial, of a Greek proposal concerning a transitional framework for Crete’s electricity grid link with target model markets.

This development will now enable RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to conduct public consultation for a temporary plan concerning the island’s participation in the target model’s wholesale markets.

RAE is expected to begin the public consultation procedure this week, sources said. It will feature a strict road map for the model’s implementation, from forthcoming steps all the way to legislation.

The plan’s framework will include two alternative methods for the island’s electricity supply transactions through a small-scale interconnection, with the Peloponnese.

The solution to be selected will greatly depend on the results of the public consultation process.

As previously reported by energypress, a transitional framework is necessary as Crete’s electricity needs will only be partially covered, at a level of about 30 percent, through the small-scale interconnection.

The framework will expire once the island’s full-scale grid interconnection, all the way to Athens, begins operating in 2023.