European Commission officials of the Directorate-General for Competition have questioned various aspects of a Greek proposal seeking a two-year extension of the country’s existing demand response mechanism, a key energy-saving tool, as well as a proposal for a transitional mechanism rewarding flexibility.

Despite the hesitation, a series of meetings held Wednesday between the energy and environment ministry’s secretary-general Alexandra Sdoukou and DG Comp officials have been described as constructive.

Brussels officials appear to be gradually overcoming reservations stemming from Greece’s failure to meet previous commitments.

The energy ministry plans to address the DG Comp’s concerns on the demand response and flexibility mechanisms in a response to be forwarded today.

Sdoukou is scheduled to travel to Brussels in about two weeks for further talks.

Industry experts believe Greece’s demand response mechanism proposal stands a solid chance of being approved as it is based on a power grid operator IPTO study determining that a real need exists for the mechanism.

However, any chance of an approval by February 6, the expiry date of the existing demand response mechanism, has been ruled out. The industrial sector will be left without a demand response mechanism for a period of at least two months, it is estimated.

European Commission approval of the flexibility mechanism is seen as a less likely prospect as units offering flexibility to the grid face less of a financial strain and, moreover, flexibility will soon be rewarded within the framework of the target model.