A series of legislative revisions concerning RES special account contribution adjustments are expected to be submitted to parliament over the next few days for discussion and ratification.
These include an energy ministry initiative intended to fully abolish a RES-supporting electricity supplier surcharge and carbon tax as of January 1, 2019. Provisions guaranteeing the smooth functioning of RES market operator DAPEEP, formerly known as LAGIE, are planned to be attached to this revision.
The move to end the supplier surcharge and carbon tax will offer major financial relief to the main power utility PPC.
Another revision headed to parliament will offer electricity suppliers returns from the RES special account’s surplus, which is expected to widen further by the end of the year. The maintenance of a 70 million-euro reserve required by law for the RES special account will need to be factored in to the calculations when determining returns for electricity suppliers.
The series of measures to be submitted to parliament within the next few days will include an amendment for a delay, until early 2019, of an adjustment to a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge paid by industrial consumers. Upper limits will be set for energy-intensive enterprises. Greece’s proposal must first be endorsed by the European Commission.
Greece’s proposal has been shaped to comply with EU directives. They date back to 2014. It is estimated Greek industry has been deprived of 7 million euros for each year the measure has been delayed.
Its launch will also require the establishment of an electronic registry at DAPEEP. This is not expected any sooner than spring.