Unprecedented price rises in the wholesale electricity market, up by as much as 80 percent between July 1 and August 8 and tripled since the beginning of the year, will inevitably impact consumers with imminent increases of approximately 30 percent, market officials have told energypress.

The average wholesale electricity price for this year has been estimated at between 80 and 90 euros per MWh, up 30 percent compared to levels in 2019, used as the base year as price levels in pandemic-hit 2020 were distorted by the unprecedented conditions.

Households and businesses should soon expect elevated electricity bills as a result of wholesale-related clauses triggered by suppliers in response to the sharp wholesale electricity price increases recorded since early July.

These developments, largely attributed to European Commission policies implemented to combat climate change, have prompted comments by key energy market officials, including Evangelos Mytilineos, chairman and chief executive of the Mytilineos group, who recently warned “the energy transition will be expensive.” Another official noted this is a “new era of higher-priced electricity.”

CO2 emission right costs have more than doubled since the beginning of the year, reaching levels, at present, of between 54 and 55 euros per ton.

Natural gas prices have doubled since January at the TTF Dutch trading platform, to 42 euros per MWh.

Greek market officials widely acknowledge the country has no other option but to gradually end its reliance on lignite and fossil fuels, while stressing, however, the need for swifter legislative revisions facilitating quicker RES penetration and energy storage development.