Local, EU, non-EU firms keen for PPC units, minister tells

Local and foreign enterprises, both from within and beyond the EU, are in the process of establishing partnerships to express interest in an upcoming market test for main power utility PPC lignite-fired power stations and mines to be offered for sale through a bailout-required PPC sale list, energy ministry Giorgos Stathakis assured energypress in an interview.

The country’s hydropower sources must remain under state control, the minister supported in the interview.

Stathakis expressed his outright opposition to energy sector privatizations not involving state-run companies.

The minister also noted that studies of strategic and developmental nature are currently being conducted in search of the best possible ways and most approporate time to utilize PPC, DEPA (Public Gas Corporation) and ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum).

As for the interconnection of the country’s islands, Stathakis informed that projects would proceed based on their sustainability. In cases where sustainability cannot be assured, other options, such as hybrid systems, would be pursued, the minister stated.

The minister also made reference to China’s presence in the Greek energy sector; the road map for natural gas sector revisions; the National Energy Plan, to be submittted to the European Commisssion by the end of this year; the smart meters installation project being prepared by HEDNO, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator; as well as Greece’s effort to become an energy hub in southeast Europe by supporting the development of all related energy supply projects.