Electricity hike proposal by lenders a major danger, industry warns

Responding to last week’s package of lender proposals, which include eliminating reduced electricity costs offered to local industrial facilities, Greek sector authorities have warned that the measures would further damage the Greek economy if implemented.

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, in a letter addressed to the Greek government and European authorities, noted that lender proposals for a revision of reduced rates offered to the Greek industrial sector as of last year do not take into account levels of competitiveness with regards to European rivals.

The association reminded that local electricity tariffs for industry stand thirty percent higher compared to those faced by European competitors, according to a study conducted by international consulting firm Roland Berger. EVIKEN also noted that significant fuel and natural gas price reductions registered in the wholesale markets of other parts of Europe during the final quarter of 2014 did not take effect in Greece.

“European institutions must not insist with their proposals and the Greek government must not accept to implement the electricity tariff revisions, which would place the industrial sector’s level of competitiveness and maintenance of thousands of jobs in danger, while also obstructing Greek economic recovery,” EVIKEN noted in its letter.