Latest complications in the licensing procedure for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline running directly from Russia to Germany through the North Sea, as well as the EU’s deteriorated ties ties with Belarus, key transit territory for Russian gas entering the EU via Poland, appear set to push electricity price levels even higher in coming weeks.

Wholesale electricity in Greece averaged a price of 221 euros per MWh in the first half of November, up from 198 euros per MWh for October, overall.

If current conditions do not improve, suppliers estimate that retail electricity prices will reach nearly 300 euros per MWh in December, up 13 percent from the current November level of 265 euros per MWh.

Market players are being pushed to the edge. Some suppliers are waging survival battles, others are seeking to appease unsettled customers through campaigns offering energy-efficiency tips, while others are seeing their market strategies overrun by the continual flow of unfavorable developments.

Greek government officials are also jittery, realizing that household electricity subsidies of 39 euros per month offered for November and December for the first 300 KWh of consumption will not be enough.