The energy ministry is open to discussing further a proposal by ESAI/HAIPP, the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers, that calls for distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO to take on the representation and cost of electricity consumers who abuse the country’s universal electricity supply service.

It is offered, by law, by the top five electricity suppliers, based on market share, as a last-resort service to non-punctual consumers who have been blacklisted by suppliers.

ESAI/HAIPP officials held talks last week with the energy ministry’s leadership on next-step measures that could be taken if a time-limit for the service, now being discussed, has been exhausted by universal service users.

Just one in ten consumers resorting to the universal electricity supply service are paying their fees, it was recently revealed.

The cost of these payment failures, along with the cost of electricity theft, is initially covered by electricity suppliers, who, in turn, pass on the financial damage to paying consumers.