Despite definite progress confirmed in a latest Brussels report, Greece still needs to resolve two pending issues concerning pricing and distribution in a long-running antitrust case with the European Commission over state-controlled power utility PPC’s lignite monopoly, which Brussels demands must be opened up to third parties.

Brussels insists on the sale of tailor-made electricity packages to electricity suppliers and industrial enterprises, adjusted accordingly to meet their respective needs. Pricing details must also be worked out.

The antitrust case has dragged on over the past decade or so. The European Commission wants it closed by the end of this year.

In the lead-up, a market test needs to be staged with the participation of all interested parties, the intention being to test in practice the proposal described in the Brussels report.

The plan envisions a mechanism designed to offer PPC’s rivals access to a share of the utility’s lignite-based generation. The extent of this access will be correlated with the progress of the power utility’s decarbonization effort.

Transparent, competitive procedures, as well as lignite access to smaller-scale suppliers, must be assured, the Brussels report notes.

The Greek government and the European Commission are currently discussing the market test’s details.