NOME starting price rise to at least €56 per MWh expected

A study prepared by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, proposes a NOME auction starting price increase to just over 56 euros per MWh, a significant rise from the current level of 36.34 euros per MWh, primarily as a result of a sharp rise in CO2 emission right costs.

The new NOME starting price could even reach as much as 58 euros per MWh if a two-euro lignite surcharge ends up being added. This will be decided by finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos and energy minister Giorgos Stathakis.

RAE has forwarded its NOME study to the two ministers.

CO2 emission right costs have risen from five euros per ton approximately a year-and-a-half ago to 25 euros per ton.

If a ministerial decision is delivered swiftly then a new NOME starting price will apply for the next auction on July 17, to offer participants 500 MWh/h as well as at the ensuing October 16 session offering 767 MWH/h.

NOME auctions were introduced about three years ago as a means of offering independent players access to the main power utility PPC’s lower-cost lignite and hydropower sources.