Electricity amounts acquired by traders at Wednesday’s NOME auction were limited to two companies, Alpiq, which purchased 20 MWh, and Novarea, buying just 2 MWh/h, from a total of 717 MWh/h offered at the session, the final one for the year, unofficial estimates made by pundits have shown.

This, however, does not mean that parts of electricity amounts bought at the auction by suppliers will not end up abroad, where demand and prices are high, either as direct exports or through the secondary market.

Local authorities recently implemented restrictive measures aiming to limit exports as traders with supply licenses have exported significant electricity amounts purchased at previous sessions.

Certain electricity suppliers with limited client bases purchased substantial amounts at Wednesday’s auction. KEN, a standout case, bought a total of 50 MWh/h after having purchased 21 MWh/h at the previous NOME auction, despite holding a very small retail electricity market share.

No matter how aggressive a market policy KEN may go on to pursue, the supplier’s NOME-obtained electricity amount is too substantial for it to be fully absorbed by the domestic market, meaning considerable export activity is intended.

The electricity market’s three main independent suppliers acquired the lion’s share of the amount offered on Wednesday, aiming to cover supply to existing customers and stock up for potential market share gains.

Heron bought 160 MWh/h, the day’s biggest order, Elpedison followed with 151 MWh/h and Protergia was the third biggest buyer, acquiring 105 MWh/h.

Watt + Volt followed with 70 MWh/h. ELTA (Hellenic Post) bought 21 MWh/h, signifying it is on the hunt for a greater market share.

Gas companies now also entering the electricity market remained particularly subdued with their orders, a possible reflection of how they intend to move in the electricity market, for the time being. EPA Thessaloniki-Thessaly bought 7 MW/h and EPA Attiki acquired 4 MWh/h.

As for other buyers, NRG took on 56 MWh/h, Volterra bought 29 MWh/h, Green acquired 28 MWh/h and OTE bought 10 MWh/h, the unofficial figures showed.

Certain independent electricity suppliers operating in Greece have been exporting electricity amounts acquired at the NOME auctions, data collected for a NOME impact report has shown.

Restrictive measures are being enforced to limit this export activity and keep purchases for the local market. Brussels appears determined to ensure free trade as long as supply security threats do not arise. It is believed that the European Commission would accept restrictions in such a case.

NOME auctions were introduced to the Greek market a year ago with the purpose of offering independent suppliers access to main power utility PPC’s low-cost lignite and hydrocarbon sources.