Greece’s revised and finalized plan for a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge included on consumer bills, changed in accordance with EU state aid directives, is expected to be forwarded to Brussels within the current week for approval.

Local officials recently completed negotiations with European Commission authorities. Once endorsed in Brussels, the revised plan will need to be ratified in Greek parliament. The energy ministry estimates the revised ETMEAR surcharge model, planned to remain valid for ten years, can be launched in January, 2019.

The revisions include favorable terms for electro-intensity enterprises, defined as those whose electricity costs exceed 20 percent of gross added value. Enterprises such as steel and cement producers will be set an ETMEAR surcharge whose maximum level will be 0.5 percent of their gross added value.

Consumers in the mid-voltage category, including hotels and airports, will be offered relatively low ETMEAR rates for electricity consumption levels of certain levels and upwards. Higher ETMEAR rates will apply for consumption below this level.

A small ETMEAR surcharge reduction is planned for business category consumers. The rate in this category will be aligned with that of household consumers, whose ETMEAR cost will remain unchanged.

ETMEAR levels for farmers, hospitals, ministries and public buildings will be set at 50 percent of the average surcharge level.

The main power utility’s lignite mines will be charged 20 percent of the ETMEAR average.