PPC seeks deals with RAE, rival power retailers to trap debtors

The main power utility PPC is taking widespread initiatives in an effort to coordinate with RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, and rival power companies in the retail electricity market to restore order concerning overdue power bills not being paid to the utility by consumers whom it believes are able but not willing.

The moves being made by PPC are intended to establish cooperation in the sector that would tighten the grip on elusive consumers who have transferred to other retail power companies, leaving behind unpaid amounts, in some cases considerable, with the power utility.

Now under a recently appointed new leadership, PPC has launched a fresh campaign aiming to collect unpaid overdue amounts owed to the utility, currently at an alarming level – for local standards – of 1.9 billion euros.

PPC yesterday announced improved payback terms for troubled consumers, including an increase of monthly installments servicing overdue amounts to 36 installments from eight.

Showing no remorse for consumers believed to be major income earners who owe hefty amounts to PPC but are not paying, the utility recently cut its power supply to twelve major-scale consumers deemed wealthy and uncooperative. They owe over half a million euros each in electricity bills to PPC.

PPC has submitted a request to RAE for a revision to current market regulations which would require debtors to reach ageements with the power utility before being able to switch to other retail power suppliers. Technically speaking, PPC has asked RAE to order HEDNO, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator – locally acronymed DEDDIE – to not reconnect power supply without the permission of previous suppliers.

PPC is also striving to reach an agreement with rival retail electricity suppliers for an agreement that would obstruct power reconnections from new companies in cases where consumers owe amounts to previous electricity companies. If an overall understating is achieved on this front, the intense, if not acrimonious, tension between rival retail electricity companies could be smoothened.

However, personal data protection law could be breached amid this process. The legal aspects are already being examined.