Troubled by a cash-flow problem being caused by an alarming level of unpaid overdue electricity bills, the main power utility PPC is preparing to use “e-net” software to catch big fish, or wealthy consumers suspected, by the corporation, of refusing to pay as a result of greater tolerance levels amid the country’s ongoing recession.

SAP software being programmed into PPC’s systems, to enable targeted collection efforts and cross-examination of consumer-related financial data, is expected to be ready for use in July.

PPC will be hoping it helps rake in unpaid overdue electricity bill amounts, currently totaling 1.88 billion euros.

Consumers who have fallen behind on their electricity bill payments will be divided into two categories, based on the extent of overdue bills and amounts owed, before further sub-categorization is conducted to guide PPC’s collection effort.

Consumers whose amounts owed are longest overdue and considerable will be the first to feel the campaign’s pressure. Wealthy yet uncooperative consumers are undoubtedly a prime target in the mission launched by PPC’s recently appointed new CEO, Manolis Panagiotakis (photo).

Although the collection-assisting software is still being programmed, PPC has already begun taking action. Over the past fortnight or so, the power utility has cut power supply to fourteen villas in affluent Athens areas, from Voula in the south to Ekali in the north, as well as over 200 cafes, hotels and large enterprises throughout the country.

The consumers affected by these power cuts owe nearly one million euros to PPC, just a fraction of the hundreds of millions the power utility believes it can rake in from consumers who are able but not willing to pay their electricity bills, meaning that the hunt has only just begun, with more drastic action to come once the new software becomes operational in July.