SEV, the Hellenic Association of Industrialists, proposed a series of measures for growth in various sectors, noting these are already being widely implemented in other parts of Europe, at a general meeting held today by the association.

SEV’s list of proposals, announced by the association’s head, Theodoros Fessas, and to be forwarded by the association to the government, will seek a drastic energy-cost reduction for the industrial sector, down to levels enjoyed by fellow European operations, whose energy-cost levels are between thirty and forty percent lower.

Reduction of a special consumption tax (EFK) imposed on natural gas headed for industrial use and electricity production, set at 5.4 euros per MW/h – which is double the European average, and ten times more than a minimum level set by an EU directive – is one of the measures proposed by SEV.

SEV also proposed the swift implementation of a “power disruption management” plan, to enable energy cost savings for major-scale industry in exchange for shifting energy usage to off-peak hours whenever required by IPTO, the power grid operator.

A committee assembled to examine the measure recently held a serious of sessions in a bid to determine how the “disruption” measure would be funded. Industrial and renewable energy source (RES) sector representatives were included in the committee. The Production Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Ministry, ultimately responsible for the matter, has yet to deliver a plan.

The “power disruption management” measure is one of the European Commisssion most heavily backed measures for ensuring smooth-functioning of grids in Europe.

A third economic-growth measure proposed by SEV entails incorporating EEAG (European Economic Advisory Group) state aid guidelines for the environment and energy sectors between 2014 and 2020 into the country’s legal framework.

The new guidelines, published by the European Commission just over a year ago, primarily seek the adoption of measures that would bolster competitiveness for energy-intensive European industry and help offset the effects of policies implemented in the field of energy and environmental change.