The energy ministry plans to submit a draft bill in January for gas utility DEPA’s split plan, ahead of its privatization, as a result of an inability to find available dates within December, sources have informed energypress.

The legislative revision, planned as a multi-bill, will incorporate motions for the establishment of a new Greek authority for geological and mineral exploration as well as legal framework concerning the geothermal sector.

The energy ministry is also preparing to submit a mini draft bill carrying a series of revisions – these include an adjustment to a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge paid by industrial consumers, to feature upper limits for energy-intensive enterprises; the abolishment of a RES-supporting electricity supplier surcharge; and RES special account surplus returns to power suppliers – ahead of the festive season, for parliamentary discussion and ratification on December 19 and 20. These revisions need to be implemented by January 1.

As has been previously reported, DEPA will be split into DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure. State privatization fund TAIPED will launch the gas utility’s privatization procedure by offering a majority stake in DEPA Trade, to represent the utility’s commercial interests. The DEPA Infrastructure sale, intended for a latter date, will retain a majority stake for the Greek State.