Energy deputy in Brussels electricity market talks, NOME auctions end near

Deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas, representing Greece at tomorrow’s council of EU energy ministers in Brussels, where climate change targets between 2030 and 2050 will be discussed, intends to combine the visit with a series of meetings with European Commission energy and competition officials for talks on latest government plans striving for greater competition in Greece’s electricity market.

Talks concerning the Greek government’s plans to intensify electricity market competition have yet to officially commence, as was noted just days ago by recently appointed energy minister Costis Hatzidakis. He is preparing for his first meeting with the country’s lender representatives in Athens this Wednesday.

The government’s electricity market agenda is comprised of five key measures – swifter decarbonization; partial privatization of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO; power utility PPC’s detachment from Greek State bailout-related procedures; greater emphasis on renewable energy; and termination of NOME auctions.

The measure abolishing NOME auctions will be submitted to Greek Parliament within the next few days, Hatzidakis, the energy minister, told local media yesterday. The plan will be attached to a multi-bill for development, now undergoing public consultation, sources informed.

NOME auctions were introduced in Greece about three years ago to offer PPC rivals lower-cost wholesale electricity. Hatzidakis argues the auctions ended up forcing the power utility to offer below-cost electricity, inflicting an accumulation of financial damage worth approximately 600 million euros.

At the council of EU energy ministers in Brussels tomorrow, his deputy, Thomas, will present the Greek government’s ambitious agenda for cleaner energy.

He also plans to hold talks with Finnish minister of economic affairs Katri Kulumni, Spain’s energy minister José Dominguez Abascal, and Italy’s economic development minister Stefano Patuanelli, amongst others, sources informed.