Elevated wholesale electricity market prices have restricted profit figures at retail energy supplier NRG, while profit margins in the refinery division are rebounding and should further improve, significantly, in the second half, the Motor Oil Hellas group has pointed out in a presentation of first-half results to analysts.

The Motor Oil Hellas administration is confident group profit figures will be greatly reinforced by the acquisition of new RES units.

Increased carbon emission right costs impacted the group’s profit levels by 10 million euros in the first half, Motor Oil Hellas officials pointed out.

Carbon emission right costs skyrocketed to 52 euros per ton in the second quarter of 2021, up from 38 euros per ton in the current year’s first quarter, and average levels of 14 euros per ton in 2018 and five euros per ton in 2017.

Auto fuel demand in the Greek market has risen, reaching pre-pandemic levels last month, equivalent to figures achieved in August, 2019, while heating fuel demand weakened as last year’s purchase season was extended, prompting a significant sales increase, Motor Oil officials informed.