The RES-supporting supplier surcharge will be gradually reduced to 50 percent of its current nominal value by 2020, government and troika officials have agreed, according to energypress sources.

A decision had already been reached to reduce the supplier surcharge by 25 percent this year.

The supplier surcharge will remain a valid RES-supporting mechanism until 2020, despite strong objections raised by the troika in earlier bailout negotiations with Greek government officials, energy minister Giorgos Stathakis and the lenders have agreed, under the condition that it will be reduced and less varied, or more predictable for electricity suppliers.

Assisted by a sharp rise of CO2 emission right costs, whose proceeds are injected into the RES special account, energy minister Giorgos Stathakis appears set to achieve his main objective of avoiding a rise of the ETMEAR surcharge paid by consumers to support the RES special account.