DESFA, Greece’s natural gas grid operator, has called for an emergency meeting today to update natural gas market authorities on the abnormal current market conditions, needed adjustments and consequences of last week’s significant reduction in gas consumption levels. The reduced demand was caused by a series of factors.

The recent need to reduce reservoir levels and place emphasis on hydropower facility generation as a result of increased rainfall as well as increased RES production are the two main reasons that have led to lower-than-expected demand for natural gas at gas-fueled power stations. Also, higher temperatures have lowered consumer demand at the EPA gas supply companies.

As a result of all these factors, the country’s natural gas infrastructure is now experiencing an overload, according to DESFA. Subsequently, the operator has ordered gas importers to reduce their inflows at the country’s supply points.

The country’s importers – DEPA (Public Gas Corporation), Promitheas and M&M Gas – have raised objections as they contend pipeline capacities are still well below maximum levels, sources informed.

The country’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure is currently holding 25.5 million cubic meters, well under the maximum level of 45 million cubic meters. Even so, DESFA has called for emergency action.

Natural gas importers are likely to file complaints to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, over system overload penalties imposed by DESFA, which, they contend, has acted prematurely.