Industry calls for greater share of CO2 emission right revenues

Energy-intensive industries eligible for compensation through a mechanism offsetting elevated energy costs have called for an upward revision concerning 2022 and 2023, warning that a current formula and rate, offering industry an 11 percent share of revenues generated at CO2 emission right auctions, would not suffice.

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has called for an increased share of at least 17 percent, so that deficits resulting from current rates can be avoided.

The compensation sum offered to energy-intensive industries for 2021 was based on total electricity consumption of eligible industries, including the refining sector, as well as the CO2 EUA (European Union Allowance) price of 24.8 euros per ton in the previous year, 2020.

Available data has indicated that the amount to be required for compensation in 2022 will be close to 200 million euros. However, an 11 percent share of CO2 emission right auctions in 2022 is estimated to produce a sum of 146 million euros, 54 million euros less than the required amount.

The deficit appears to be even more acute for compensation needs covering 2023. An EUA price of 81 euros per ton results in a sum of over 300 million euros, while an 11 percent share of CO2 emission right auctions results in a sum of 160 million euro, a 140 million-euro deficit for 2023.

Industry troubled by PPA terms, seen as ‘out of touch’

Greek industrial players are expressing strong reservations about the prospects of green power purchase agreements (PPAs), which have been delayed by well over a year, their terms now considered out of touch.

Industry’s concerns have arisen as the energy ministry seeks to find a solution that would unblock the development of 2.5 GW in solar energy projects under contract for their supply to industrial consumers.

When talks had first begun on the introduction of PPAs, the now-delayed associated RES projects were expected to be operational in 2025. But it now appears they will not be ready to operate until 2027.

Ten-year PPAs already signed offer fixed energy prices to industrial players, who agreed on these deals anticipating the considerable energy-cost benefits of the first few years would eventually fade out towards the end of their ten-year period.

Industry deems latest PPA price levels on offer as excessive, greatly increasing the entrepreneurial risk involved.

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, in a letter forwarded to energy minister Thodoris Skylakakis, has called for measures that would help industrial producers establish PPAs. The association has recommended cutting the duration of new PPAs to two years from ten years at present.

Local firms move with caution ahead of joint EU gas purchases

Local electricity producers, suppliers and traders are examining final details in preparation for a first round of joint EU natural gas purchases ahead of next winter, through a related platform launched today.

The platform, AggregateEU, a joint purchasing service designed to facilitate common natural gas purchases as a means of keeping prices lower by preventing bidding rivalry between companies based in fellow EU member states, will remain open to applications for a week, until May 2.

In comments to energypress, officials of companies intending to place orders through the platform said they remain cautious and are seeking clarification on various details, including commitments and the extent of potential benefits, or more specifically, price levels that can be achieved through joint orders compared to prices if ordering alone.

In any case, local companies will seek to contribute to the initiative’s common European gas orders.

The Greek energy ministry held a related meeting towards the end of January to discuss the initiative with market players. Energy company officials representing power utility PPC, DEPA Commercial, Mytilineos, Elpedison, Heron and Prometheus Gas, as well as EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, took part.

EU authorities plan to stage common gas purchases every two months over the next year.

 

 

Top energy sector officials taking part at Power & Gas Forum, March 22-23

The government’s top-ranked energy sector officials as well as a host of other leading figures from political, institutional, academic and business domains will be talking part in the Power & Gas Forum on March 22 and 23 at the Wyndham Grand Athens Hotel, an event being staged by energypress for a fourth time. Conference speakers and attendees will participate in person.

Speakers at the event will include Greek energy minister Kostas Skrekas; the energy ministry’s secretary-general Alexandra Sdoukou; secretary-general of transport at the ministry of infrastructure and transport Ioannis Xifaras; RAE (Regulatory Authority for Energy) president Athanasios Dagoumas; EFET’s (European Federation of Energy Traders) Jerome Le Page; Tomás Llobet of European Energy Retailers (EER); two former Greek energy ministers, Giannis Maniatis and Giorgos Stathakis; Sokratis Famellos, a member of the main opposition leftist Syriza party; and Haris Doukas of the PASOK-KINAL socialist party.

Other conference participants will include power grid operator IPTO’s chief executive officer Manos Manousakis and his deputy Giannis Margaris; gas grid operator DESFA’s chief executive Maria Rita Galli; RES market operator DAPEEP’s president and CEO Giannis Giarentis; distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s chief executive Anastasios Manos; EDEYEP (Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company) president Aristofanis Stefatos; the Hellenic Energy Exchange’s newly appointed CEO Alexandros Papageorgiou; EDA THESS general manager and EDA ATTIKI CEO Leonidas Bakouras; the Greek prime minister’s special adviser for energy Nikos Tsafos; energy ministry adviser Theodoros Tsakiris; and energy markets guru Alex Papalexopoulos.

The academic community will be represented by professors Pantelis Kapros, Stavros Papathanasiou, Pantelis Biskas, Nikolaos Hatziargyriou and Antonis Metaxas.

As always, energy-sector authorities will also participate at the event. They include Loukas Dimitriou (ESAI/HAIPP – Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers); Antonis Kontoleon (EVIKEN – Association of Industrial Energy Consumers); Giannis Mitropoulos and Miltos Aslanoglou (ESPEN – Greek Energy Suppliers Association); Irodotos Antonopoulos (ESEPIE – Hellenic Association of Electricity Trading & Supply Companies); Panagiotis Lostarakos and Panagiotis Papastamatiou (ELETAEN – Greek Wind Energy Association); Stelios Loumakis (SPEF – Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers); and Stelios Psomas (SEF/HELAPCO – Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies).

Key sector entrpreneurs and executives who have so far confirmed their participation include: Ioannis Kalafatas (Mytilineos); Kyriakos Kofinas (PPC); Nikolaos Zahariadis (Elpedison); Anastasios Lostarakos (NRG); Dinos Nikolaou (Energean); Kostis Sifnaios (Gastrade); Nikolaos Satras (Dioryga Gas); Panos Nikou (Volterra); and Ioannis Kokkotos (ABB).

The forum’s full agenda will be finalized and announced in the coming days.

Eurometaux: Crisis measures needed to ease pressure on struggling industry

Europe needs to take emergency energy-crisis action to ease the growing pressure on the industrial sector, a letter forwarded to the European Commission by European industry association Eurometaux has underlined.

The letter was signed by representatives of 40 major industrial enterprises and associations, including three leading Greek industrial players, Evangelos Mytilineos, head of Mytilineos group, Panos Lolos, ElvalHalcor’s Copper Segment general manager, and Antonis Kontoleon, president of EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

Aluminium and zinc production in Europe has been forced to drop to 50 percent of capacity as a result of high energy costs, while the copper and nickel sectors are also facing serious problems, the Eurometaux letter notes.

Reasonable electricity and natural gas prices are necessary for production of metals, the letter underlines.

Europe cannot have a successful energy and raw materials strategy if electricity and gas prices remain at current levels for an extended period of time without relief, the letter says.

The crisis requires a comprehensive package of solutions, while no option should be disregarded during such unprecedented conditions, the association notes.

An improved temporary framework for state support as well as incentives for electricity purchase agreements with RES producers are among several proposals listed by Eurometaux in its letter to Brussels.

Country’s first climate-change law headed for parliament

The country’s first climate-change draft bill, carrying binding 2030 and 2040 carbon emission targets, as well as a climate neutrality commitment by 2050, is expected to be submitted to parliament within the next few days after having adopted many comments forwarded during consultation.

Deadlines that had been set for the use of heating fuel boilers as well as vehicles with internal combustion engines appear set to be granted extensions of a few years.

A ban on the installation of heating fuel boilers in areas equipped with sufficient natural gas networks will now probably not come into effect until 2024 or 2025, instead of 2023, as was intended by the draft bill prior to revisions.

A plan for the withdrawal of all carbon-emitting taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki by early 2025 also appears set to be given an extension, of two years. The same applies for new rental cars and new company cars.

It remains unclear if the draft bill will include revisions to binding targets for industrial activity emissions, especially energy-intensive enterprises subject to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, during consultation, supported that this category of enterprises must be exempted from a 30 percent emission reduction target between 2023 and 2030, as stated in the original draft bill.

 

EVIKEN: Wholesale market price control urgently needed

Regulatory intervention is urgently needed to control prices in the wholesale electricity market, EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has noted in a letter forwarded to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

Price-control intervention in Greece’s electricity market is needed as, besides the extraordinary conditions, the market is also pressured by a series of pending revisions, EVIKEN noted.

Balancing market redistribution has yet to be carried out, while the RES sector must still take on full balancing responsibility and, in addition, bilateral contracts need to be established with natural gas-fueled power stations, the association noted.

EVIKEN reiterated that specific strategies being pursued in the supply market are resulting in a full transfer of wholesale market price risk to retail tariffs.

This, combined with the absence of a futures market and the reluctance of producers, including power utility PPC, to offer a minimum percentage of their production portfolio through bilateral contracts – all in the absence of basic competition – results in all energy production being traded through the energy exchange, whose prices are now being formed by producers without any risk entailed, EVIKEN noted.

 

EVIKEN: Energy crisis monthly cost for medium-voltage industry at €150m

Medium-voltage industrial energy costs have risen by 150 million euros per month during the energy crisis and require structural intervention, not temporary measures, Antonis Kontoleon, president of EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has told an online event organized by SVSE, the association of mainland Greece industries, on the impact of the energy crisis on industry.

Industry, in recent times, has faced electricity costs that have quadrupled and natural gas prices five times over normal price level, increasing overall production cost by levels of between 20 and 40 percent, a rise that cannot be passed on to consumers, the EVIKEN president noted.

Producers in Greece are disadvantaged compared to rivals in other parts of Europe as they are not able to purchase energy in advance or adopt hedging polices through long-term contracts in order to secure specific cost levels, Kontoleon stressed.

In other European markets, just 20 percent of energy consumed is traded through energy exchanges and 80 percent stems from contracts established between producers or suppliers and consumers, the EVIKEN head noted.

Greek industry found itself trapped, without tools, in an energy crisis that has highlighted the market’s distortions, he added.

 

Industry opposes RES surcharge as competitive pricing component

Energy-intensive industrial producers strongly oppose an energy ministry plan to change the status of a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge included in electricity bills from a  regulated to competitive fee by having it incorporated into the pricing policy of suppliers, EVIKEN (Association of Industrial Energy Consumers) sources have informed energypress.

The industrial producers have cited two key reasons for their disapproval. Firstly, changing the ETMEAR surcharge into a competitive component of supplier pricing policy would terminate the ability of industrial consumers to receive related compensation as, based on EU state aid directives, compensation is permitted for regulated charges but not competitive charges.

In addition, industrial consumers oppose an ETMEAR status change as a new energy exchange platform promises to offer strong incentive for new RES units to participate in competitive procedures to secure agreements with energy suppliers. This essentially means that fewer, if any, RES units will remain available for bilateral agreements with industrial producers, who are counting on such arrangements for an urgently needed reduction of energy costs in the medium term.

The resilience of manufacturers is already being seriously tested by recent energy price increases brought about by the energy crisis.

Industrial consumers support RAE action for retail market revisions

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has, in public consultation staged by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, backed the authority’s initiative for prospective revisions to retail electricity rules, noting competition is being affected by coordinated actions from suppliers.

In its letter submitted to the public consultation procedure, EVIKEN reminds that it has called for decisive intervention by RAE, noting that the supply market, in the absence of fundamental conditions fostering competition – a situation for which vertically integrated energy companies, especially private sector companies, are responsible – can be characterized by coordinated practices that aim to fully transfer to customers price risks entailed in day-ahead and balancing markets.

EVIKEN, in its letter, demanded data illustrating the number of days over the past two months when electricity production technologies (lignite, natural gas, hydropower and imports) determined prices in the day-ahead market.

EVIKEN expresses support for strategic reserve, opposes CRM

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has expressed support for the establishment of a strategic reserve mechanism but opposes a Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM).

There is no immediate need for a CRM as current remuneration available to natural gas-fueled power stations through the balancing market ensures their profitability, EVIKEN members supported.

Both mechanisms have been included in the Market Reform Plan shaped by the government.

EVIKEN has rejected a related study’s findings contending that natural gas-fueled power stations are currently incurring losses.

The industrial energy consumers group called for measures that would transform the market so that it can operate at standards set by other European markets before talks can begin to seek additional remuneration for energy producers.

Medium-voltage suppliers seek higher-priced deal revisions

A sharp rise in medium-voltage energy costs over recent times, resulting from higher wholesale prices, threatens to damage the competitiveness of Greek manufacturers, Antonis Kontoleon, president of EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has told energypress.

Rallying CO2 emission right prices as well as persistently higher prices in the day-ahead and balancing markets have prompted electricity suppliers to seek revised medium-voltage agreements as protection against loss-incurring sales.

Electricity suppliers, maintaining business to business agreements with medium-voltage consumers have increased – by 20 percent compared to just recently – their number of requests forwarded for new supply agreements.

More crucially, suppliers are asking their customers to accept upward price revisions.

In many cases, suppliers have forwarded letters to customers informing that they will no longer be able to service existing supply agreements unless prices per KWh are raised.

Low-voltage consumers also face increased electricity bill costs following the activation, by suppliers, of cost-protection clauses.

Independent suppliers have activated wholesale price-related clauses, incorporated in their supply agreements, while power utility PPC has triggered, for the first time, a CO2 emission rights cost-related clause.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has summoned PPC’s administration to offer an explanation on this decision, at a meeting today. The authority is also expected to soon summon independent suppliers.

EVIKEN: Medium-voltage surcharge costs excessive

Formulas applied to calculate system usage and distribution network surcharges for medium-voltage industrial consumers are now outdated, resulting in disproportionate overcharging for this consumer category, EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has pointed out in a letter forwarded to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

The association called for medium-voltage industrial consumer charging formulas to be harmonized with those used for high-voltage consumers, which offer incentives preventing excessive demand peaks.

EVIKEN also forwarded the letter to power grid operator IPTO and distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO.

PPC reluctance ‘stalling talks with high-voltage customers’

Power utility PPC’s decision to further extend its negotiating period with industrial producers for new high-voltage tariff agreements is futile, EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers has suggested in a statement, indicating the utility has no interest to compromise.

EVIKEN contended PPC’s reluctant tactics are stalling its negotiations with high-voltage customers.

PPC officially informed industrial customers of its decision to extend the negotiating period for new high-voltage tariff agreements until June 15, but, even so, as of today, has unilaterally revised existing terms, greatly reducing punctuality and advance-payment discounts offered to this consumer category.

These revisions promise to increase energy supply costs for PPC’s industrial customers by levels of between 4 to 12 percent, depending on respective profiles, according to estimates.

A preceding PPC extension for its negotiations with high-voltage customers, offering an additional two months, expired on February 28.

The power utility’s demands include increases that would result in energy-cost hikes of up to 40 percent, the cancellation of nighttime tariffs for steel industries, imposition of a clause linked with balancing market cost, as well as restrictions effectively obstructing industrial loads from market participation, the industrial energy consumers association noted in its announcement.

Despite the impasse prompted by its demands, PPC is now offering its industrial customers a new ultimatum in an effort to force them to accept unfavorable terms for new supply contracts, EVIKEN stated.

The key question is whether PPC ultimately wants constructive dialogue with industry to avoid a negotiation deadlock, which would be detrimental to all parties involved, EVIKEN noted.

The sector’s prolonged uncertainty over energy costs is hampering plans for production increases and new investments, greatly impacting the competitiveness of the country’s major producers, the association stressed.

Day-ahead market prices unusually low despite crisis conditions

Though the balancing market and its various problems since November’s launch of new target model markets may have been the focus of attention of late, irregularities have also troubled the day-ahead market, necessitating a closer look, officials have stressed.

This need was first pointed out by Alex Papalexopoulos, one of the architects of the country’s electricity system, who observed that the day-ahead market has shown signs of offers being systematically submitted at levels below actual cost. He said market dumping was taking place, referring to offers submitted by lignite-fired units.

These concerns have now also been raised by Dinos Benroubi, head of energy supplier Protergia’s electricity and gas divisions, as well as Antonis Kontoleon, the chief official at EVIKEN, Greece’s Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

At a time of crisis, high electricity demand and calls on industrial producers to hold back on energy consumption, day-ahead market prices remain very low and full-scale electricity exports are taking place towards Italy, Kontoleon noted during a panel discussion at Athens Energy Dialogues, a conference held yesterday.

Protergia’s Benroubi took the issue a step further by noting that RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, must implement a monitoring mechanism for the day-ahead market, as, despite serving as a base for the target model’s functioning, it is displaying irregularities.

RAE upper limit on balancing market offers still possible

A decision by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, on whether to intervene further following yesterday’s decisions to suspend negative prices for balancing energy market offers and limit them in accordance with minimum production levels that are technically possible will depend on how balancing market prices unfold, authority officials have pointed out.

The possibility of an upper limit for balancing energy market offers cannot be ruled out, the RAE officials explained.

Commenting on yesterday’s initiatives by RAE, electricity producers, on the one hand, and non-vertically integrated suppliers, traders and major-scale consumers, on the other, offered conflicting opinions.

The imposition of a zero-level threshold for offers was not necessary as extreme prices, or behavior, no longer exist in the balancing market to justify the measure, electricity producers contended, warning that it could prompt new market distortions.

The producers also expressed concern over RAE’s preference to not set a specific time period for the negative-price suspension’s validity.

At the other end, Antonis Kontoleon, the head official of EVIKEN, Greece’s Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, noted that RAE has taken a step back from its own proposal for an upper limit on balancing energy market offers as well as upper and lower limits for balancing capacity market offers.

Industrial energy consumers will remain dependent on whether balancing market participants exercise restraint, the EVIKEN chief underlined.

Suppliers and traders described the two RAE measures implemented yesterday as a first step in the right direction.

The impact of the measure limiting offers in accordance with minimum production levels that are technically possible cannot be quantified, they noted, adding the zero-level threshold measure will prevent sharp price rises but would prove insufficient if, for any reason, self-restraint stops being observed in the balancing market.

One trader noted that the zero-level threshold, to prove effective, must be maintained until power grid operator IPTO completes the “western corridor” grid in the Peloponnese.

EVIKEN requests balancing market restrictions for at least 6 months

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, wants a price ceiling imposed for at least six months in the balancing market, warning producers are seeking to elevate industrial electricity tariffs despite the absence of any corresponding production cost increases.

Restrictive measures for a three-month duration, as proposed by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, in its related public consultation procedure would not suffice, EVIKEN warned.

The association, in a letter submitted to the public consultation procedure, also requested retroactive implementation of a price ceiling in the balancing market, beginning November 1, 2020.

Balancing market costs have risen sharply since the launch of new target model markets six weeks ago, pushing up wholesale and retail electricity prices.

The electricity market’s current structure enables oligopolistic practices that are not subject to monitoring, EVIKEN noted in its letter.

Industry opposes bilateral contract restrictions

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has expressed opposition to an energy exchange proposal, delivered through public consultation, calling for the imposition of restrictions on bilateral contracts reached by suppliers.

In its letter, EVIKEN notes that an upper limit restricting supplier bilateral contracts to 20 percent of total sales, if suppliers hold a retail electricity market share greater than 4 percent, ensures conditions of liquidity in the day-ahead market and prevents a squeeze on prices.

The association, in its letter, proposes that this regulatory measure be abolished in the day-ahead market given the extremely high price levels registered, noting its maintenance over an extended period threatens to create oligopolistic conditions in the market.

Legal action, even at an EU level, could be taken over the matter, crucially important for the industrial sector, EVIKEN indicated.

EVIKEN chief warns of wholesale market crisis impact on industrial sector

The head official of EVIKEN, Greece’s Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has warned of dangers faced by the industrial sector as a result of higher wholesale electricity prices and serious balancing market issues.

Balancing market costs have spun out of control amid the pandemic, whilst the market, as currently structured, enables players to achieve windfall profits by differentiating their offers in the day-ahead and balancing markets, Antonis Kontoleon, the EVIKEN chief, pointed out in comments to energypress.

Players are overstating grid needs or understating RES output projections, or doing both, a tactic that further increases the need for far greater energy quantities and leads to higher energy prices, Kontoleon warned.

 

Gas distributors want surcharge rebate decision cancelled

Gas distributors DEDA, EDA Thess and EDA Attiki will seek the nullification of a decision by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, requiring them to gradually reimburse industrial enterprises for increased network surcharges  between August 14, 2015 and December 1, 2016.

The RAE ruling was delivered following a complaint by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

The amount that needs to be returned by the three distributors to energy-intensive industries is estimated to be between 2.5 and three million euros.

As a first step, DEDA, EDA Thess and EDA Attiki will apply for the RAE decision to be nullified and, if unsuccessful, will then resort to legal action, including at the Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court.

A bill ratified in 2015 enabled the gas distributors to impose a temporary network surcharge of 4 euros per MWh, prompting a reaction from energy-intensive industries.

EVIKEN argued that the increase in distribution charges did not reflect the costs of each distributor, was a disproportionate burden for certain categories of network users, while adding that distribution charges should be set by RAE, not through legislation.

According to the RAE decision, the gas distributors will need to introduce measures reimbursing industrial consumers for higher network surcharge payments over the aforementioned 16-month period. Payment of the reimbursements, to be determined by a specific formula, will be possible through installments over a period of as long as five years, according to the RAE decision.

Industrial consumers rebated for gas network usage surcharge

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has delivered an official decision vindicating the industrial sector, after a four year wait, in a dispute concerning temporary natural gas distribution surcharges imposed on consumers by ordering offsetting measures leading to rebates for the period in question, between August 14, 2015 to December 1, 2016.

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, challenged the introduction of this temporary gas distribution surcharge for industrial gas consumers, deemed as a breach of EU rules. It burdened industrial gas consumers at a rate of 4 euros per MWh.

Industrial consumers will receive rebates, based on a specific formula, covering the aforementioned period, according to the RAE decision, published in the government gazette yesterday.

According to industrial sector estimates, the surcharge sum to be returned to industrial consumers is estimated between 2.5 million and thee million euros. The rebate may be distributed in installments over a period of up to five years.

This surcharge did not reflect the costs of operators, arrived as a disproportionate cost for certain consumer categories using the network, and should have been determined and introduced by RAE, not through a legislative procedure, EVIKEN argued in its case before being vindicated by RAE as well as the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.

Discrepancies observed exceeded 100 percent for most energy-intensive industrial enterprises.

The industrial sector will not tolerate any breach of EU rules concerning the new market’s framework, Antonis Kontoleon, the head official at EVIKEN, stressed.

Brussels’ Directorate-General for Energy had supported EVIKEN on all aspects of the dispute through a surveillance report delivered in November, essentially preannouncing the RAE decision.

 

 

 

Ministry awaiting Brussels nod for demand response, TFRM

The energy ministry, anticipating the European Commission’s approval of Greek government proposals for a demand response mechanism and a transitory flexibility remuneration mechanism (TFRM), has decided to sign related ministerial decisions, possibly even today, so that the mechanisms can be immediately implemented once Brussels has given the green light.

Though the two sides have come closer on the mechanisms, it still remains unclear when the European Commission will go ahead with its approval.

Over the past few days, government officials have needed to respond to a series of questions from Brussels, seeking explanations and clarification on details concerning both mechanism plans.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition is treating both mechanism proposals as one package.

Domestic energy-intensive industries are urgently awaiting the package’s approval in the hope that Greek power grid operator IPTO can stage a demand response auction before July is out.

Under terms agreed to so far, IPTO will be permitted to offer up to 800 MW through demand response auctions, down from 1,030 MW allowed through the preceding plan.

Also, the demand response mechanism will be made accessible to a greater number of companies, including smaller players, through a reduction of a consumption lower limit.

In addition, the demand response mechanism is expected to be valid for a one-year period, not two years, as was requested by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

The TFRM is expected to be divided into two stages, the first running until the launch of target model markets, scheduled for September 17, under the same terms that applied for a mechanism that expired in March, 2019.

The TFRM’s second stage is seen running from the launch of the target model until a permanent flexibility mechanism is introduced. Its capacity is expected to be drastically reduced to 750 MW from 4,500 MW. Remuneration levels are also expected to drop.

 

Ministry preparing for Brussels demand response, TFRM approvals

Anticipating the European Commission’s approval of government proposals for a demand response mechanism and a transitory flexibility remuneration mechanism (TFRM), the energy ministry is preparing ministerial decisions for immediate signing once Brussels has given the green light.

These decisions will need to be signed by Greek officials before the two mechanisms can be implemented. The ministry is preparing the ground to have both mechanisms launched as soon as possible.

Brussels and Athens have reached an agreement on the mechanisms, prompting the energy ministry to deliver a finalized version of the demand response plan to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, ahead of this mechanism’s reintroduction.

The energy ministry expects power grid operator IPTO to be able to stage its first auction for demand-response capacities in July.

According to the agreement reached with Brussels, IPTO will be permitted to auction demand response capacities of up to 800 MW, below the previous limit of 1,030 MW.

Also, a greater number of participants will be eligible as enterprises with capacities of at least 2 MW will be able to take part, down from 3 MW in the previous mechanism. Troubled nickel producer Larco will not be excluded.

In addition, the new mechanism will run until September 30, 2021, not for two years as had been requested by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers.

As for the TFRM, it will remain valid until the implementation of a permanent CAT mechanism, which the energy ministry expects to launch in March, 2021.

The TFRM will be divided into two stages, the first running until the launch of target model markets, scheduled for September 17, under the same terms that applied for a mechanism that expired in March, 2019.

The TFRM’s second stage will run from the launch of the target model until a permanent flexibility mechanism is introduced. Its capacity is expected to be drastically reduced to 750 MW from 4,500 MW. Remuneration levels are also expected to drop.

Big CO2 cost drop for PPC mid, high-voltage consumers, clause abolished

Power utility PPC’s abolishment of a CO2 emissions cost clause concerning its mid and high-voltage consumers, a long-standing demand by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has resulted in a considerable reduction of CO2-related costs for these consumer categories.

CO2-related costs for mid and high-voltage consumers fell sharply to 6 euros per MWh in April, down from levels of 13.40 euros per MWh in January, 13.56 euros per MWh in February and 11.14 euros per MWh in March. CO2 emission costs have dropped considerably, internationally, in recent times.

The CO2 cost level is expected to remain unchanged for May as lignite-based generation has been restricted.

 

Brussels recognizes EVIKEN case on excess distribution surcharges

An ongoing effort by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, calling for natural gas distribution operators to return excess surcharges to industrial consumers has – for the first time since the case’s launch four years ago – been recognized by the European Commission and included in its latest report on the Greek economy.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, will reach a decision imminently, within May, according to the Brussels report.

EVIKEN launched its case in June, 2016. Industrial consumers were charged excess gas distribution surcharges for a 16-month period beginning in August, 2015.

EU law was breached by legislation ratified to enable the excess surcharge, upped to 4 euros per MWh, universally, regardless of company profile. This placed major-scale industrial producers under pressure.

A decision on this overcharging case has remained pending since 2016 despite wide recognition of the violation authorities at all levels, from RAE to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.

RAE, over an extended period, has needed to respond to rigorous questioning from the DG-Energy on various aspects concerning the matter.

RAE is now expected to calculate the precise excess surcharge amount that needs to be returned by operators to industrial consumers through an offsetting of accounts.

“Our case may have been forgotten if it weren’t for the DG-Energy leadership’s decisive intervention that prompted RAE to overturn all the unsubstantiated legal interpretations by natural gas distribution operators,” noted Antonis Kontoleon, the head official at EVIKEN.

Industrial sector needs delayed demand response mechanism

The country’s energy-intensive industrial enterprises are keen to accept a solution that would also offer independent electricity suppliers access to power utility PPC’s lignite-based generation, acknowledging that delays in the government’s ongoing negotiations with the European Commission on across-the-board lignite issues will consequently delay Brussels’ approval of Greece’s request for an extension of the demand response mechanism, a key energy-saving tool for the industrial sector, and threaten the sustainability of a number of producers.

EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, recently informed the energy ministry of its position in writing.

Greece’s lignite-issue negotiations with the European Commission have dragged on for some time. Athens has received a list of new questions after responding to a dense set of previous questions.

The government’s proposal for an extension of the demand response mechanism was forwarded to Brussels late December following lengthy consultation with European Commission officials to ensure its details would be aligned with Brussels’ directives.

Even so, Greece’s industrial enterprises have been left without the support of demand response mechanism since February 7. Worse still, a new measure promising to reduce the cost, for industry, of a RES-supporting ETMEAR surcharge, has yet to be implemented.

As a result, certain industrial sectors, namely steel and cement, have slid further in terms of competitiveness while, in some cases, sustainability and job maintenance are also at stake.

Pundits believe Brussels has bundled together all of Athens’ pending energy sector issues.

Limit on target model electricity contracts, consultation soon

An upper limit is expected to be imposed on the amount of electricity production companies will be entitled to negotiate for target model contracts, according to a decision by authorities to be forwarded for public consultation within the next few days.

The implementation of an upper limit restricting the amount of electricity a company is permitted to negotiate in the futures market is foreseen in the target model plan. The remainder of electricity will need to be channeled into the day-ahead market to ensure that necessary amounts are available.

For months now, officials have speculated about the level of the upper limit. A clearer picture is expected within the next few days, when terms are forwarded for consultation.

Power utility PPC and independent companies have offered differing views. PPC has insisted on an elevated maximum level, an opinion shared by industrial figures, including EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, who believe low-level limits would not enable them to establish contracts with PPC for electricity amounts fully covering their needs.

PPC given a month for CO2 surcharge transparency requirements

Power utility PPC is not honoring code of conduct requirements concerning transparency of information provided to consumers on CO2 emission cost surcharge calculations, RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has noted in a letter to the utility.

PPC has been asked to inform RAE on corrective action within a month or face a fine, according to the letter.

This development supports a recent complaint expressed by EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, disapproving a CO2 surcharge cost formula applied by PPC to its mid and high-voltage power supply.

In its letter to PPC, forwarded just days ago, RAE has asked the power utility to comply – promptly and fully – with industry regulations by providing necessary billing information to its consumers.

EVIKEN is maintaining an aggressive stance, insisting that the power utility’s information to consumers on surcharges imposed continues to lack detail.

Energy-intensive industrial consumers have questioned CO2 surcharges of 12.65 euros per MW/h for high-voltage supply and 13.09 euros per MW/h for mid-voltage supply concerning December, 2019. Consumers have requested full details on these charges.

EVIKEN, comparing lignite production figures for April and November, believes the CO2 surcharge rate for December should have been less than 12 euros per MW/h. It has demanded related and fully transparent data for every month of 2019.

 

PPC’s CO2 cost clause still a key issue for industrial energy consumers

The elimination of a formula applied by power utility PPC to calculate CO2 emission right costs included in industrial electricity tariffs, seen as lacking transparency, represents a key issue for major-scale energy consumers in 2020.

EVIKEN members, at a general meeting held by the association ahead of the festive season, questioned the CO2 surcharge formula applied by PPC to cover its costs resulting from CO2 emission right cost shifts.

Electricity bills issued by state-controlled PPC do not include an analysis of how this cost is calculated, EVIKEN members pointed out during the session.

This is not a new development. Over the past year or so, EVIKEN has demanded details on the CO2 calculation method from PPC. However, this request has not been met.

The issue has generated issues between the energy ministry, SEV, the Hellenic Association of Industrialists, and PPC as an offsetting measure offered to industries has not sufficed to cover this CO2-related cost.

EVIKEN responded by forwarding a series of letters to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, on the matter, claiming lack of transparency. The authority, an independent body, subsequently ruled that the CO2 surcharge seriously breaches the supply code.

All but two of PPC’s major-scale customers, who signed supply contracts exempting them from the power utility’s CO2 price clause, have been overcharged by a sum of approximately 20 million euros, according to EVIKEN.

As a result of the EVIKEN pressure, PPC appears likely to eliminate this CO2 clause from major-scale supply contracts.

Upper limit for target model agreements a contentious issue

Imposing an upper limit on day-ahead market bilateral agreements has developed into one of the most contentious issues in the lead-up to the target model.

Opposing views were voiced, once again, last Friday at an IENE (Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe) conference.

Industrial sector officials fear the implementation of a single-digit upper limit, as requested by ESAI/HAIPP, the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers, would not provide industrial enterprises with enough space to reach agreements with power utility PPC as a means of covering their needs.

Imposing an upper limit on PPC’s forward contracts would cancel out the industrial sector’s accessibility to such products, EVIKEN (Association of Industrial Energy Consumers) board member Antonis Kontoleon told the IENE event.

The imposition of such a limit on PPC should be matched for all vertically integrated players, Kontoleon added.

Such a limit would prevent producers from establishing forward agreements with their own supply firms.

ESAI/HAIPP chief official Giorgos Stamtsis noted that the structure of the Greek market is characterized by the presence of one dominant company with exclusive access to lignite, major-scale hydropower facilities, as well as a very high market shares in the retail market, over 70 percent, as well as the wholesale market.