Multinationals operating in Greece’s renewable energy market intend to reiterate their views on the reasons behind the RES special account’s deficit and proposals for its elimination at the prime minister’s office following initial talks on the matter yesterday with energy minister Costis Hatzidakis.

Representatives of multinationals will underline that any tariff cuts – on existing contracts – for producers, as an extraordinary measure to help reduce the RES special account deficit, would harm the country’s image abroad as an investment destination.

The multinational representatives will also reiterate their proposal for EU funding as a solution to the RES special account deficit, given the pandemic’s impact on the account.

RES producers were alarmed and angered by recent comments from the minister suggesting that a tariff cut could be imposed.

During yesterday’s meeting at the ministry, involving the participation of Enel, EDF and Iberdrola representatives, Hatzidakis assured he would not stun producers with any rash decisions.

Multinationals active in Greece’s RES sector have warned that any tariff cut, seen as an act instilling market instability, would ultimately prompt investors to reexamine their investment plans.

The local representatives of multinationals, completing a first round of meetings on the matter this week, are awaiting the ministry’s next views and moves, as well as related studies by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, and RES market operator DAPEEP.

The energy ministry is expected to reach decisions within the next ten days. In the lead-up, multinational representatives will keep pushing their cause, while certain foreign embassies are also expected to intervene by contacting the government on the issue.