The energy ministry is preparing a legislative amendment to extend the lifelines of all diesel-fueled power stations operated by the state-controlled power utility PPC on Crete, despite EU regulations requiring the gradual withdrawal of these high-polluting units in 2020 and 2021.

The ministry wants a longer life for PPC’s diesel-powered units to avoid energy shortage problems on Crete until the island’s grid interconnections with the Peloponnese and Athens are completed and launched, in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as is anticipated. PPC needs to be legally covered to keep these units running.

Last October, the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete made clear that Greece will not be granted any further deadline extensions beyond December 31, 2019 for the diesel-fueled power stations operating on Crete.

Three diesel-fueled power stations with a total capacity of 728 MW currently operate on Crete. The island’s electricity demand is currently at a level of 630 MW and is expected to exceed 700 MW in 2020.