The rising number of customers returning to power utility PPC is triggering a response from rival independent electricity producers and suppliers, some of which, according to sources, are set to raise competition concerns with Greek and EU authorities by noting the utility’s exclusive use of the country’s hydropower facilities puts it in an advantageous position as profit generated from this activity is, to a great extent, being utilized for an aggressive pricing policy, helping win back customers.

This is not the first time PPC’s exclusive use of Greece’s hydropower capacity is being brought to the fore. On the contrary, it has always been on the European Commission’s agenda, especially during the previous decade’s period of Greek bailout negotiations, and was incorporated in related reports.

However, concerns over PPC’s lignite monopoly and how this matter should be tackled, which led to the introduction of NOME auctions, now abolished, followed by a recent agreement for PPC lignite packages to rivals, have taken precedence.

It seems the hydropower matter has now reached the tipping point for PPC’s rivals, facing toughened market conditions shaped by the energy crisis.

A number of independent producers are believed to be set to forward market data to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, as well as the domestic and European Commission competition authorities, to highlight their disadvantageous positions and call for intervention.