Greek Parliament

Ministry looking into virtual net metering issues raised

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Virtual net metering functional issues affecting energy communities, according to two local consumer groups, are currently being examined, while immediate regulatory action will be taken if deemed necessary, deputy energy minister Alexandra Sdoukou has informed.

The consumer support groups, Electra Energy and Ekpoizo, recently forwarded a joint letter to point out problems faced by energy communities. The issue was also raised in Parliament by main opposition party Syriza’s energy-sector head, Miltos Zamparas.

Energy communities and their members have faced issues around the country for quite some time as a virtual net metering model has not been properly implemented, the Syriza party official told Parliament, while calling for the immediate intervention of RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, and the energy ministry.

Many energy community members have complained that electricity  suppliers are not complying with terms, also contending communication with distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO and suppliers has been poor.

As a result of these functional issues, energy community members are reportedly incurring losses as their electricity bill costs are not being offset, which defeats the purpose of establishing energy communities in the first place.

Virtual net metering links scattered operations to just one electricity meter to offset the cost of electricity supplied by the power utility with electricity produced by self-production for the grid.

Greek wholesale electricity prices fourth highest in Europe

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Greece’s wholesale electricity prices were ranked fourth highest in Europe during the year’s first eight-month period, behind those of Italy, Malta and Ireland, according to data presented to Greek Parliament by RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, in response to a question raised by the left-wing main opposition Syriza party.

The authority primarily attributed Greece’s high European electricity price ranking to lofty prices recorded in January, when they peaked at 201 euros per MW/h as a result of a delayed implementation of natural gas prices in the Greek market, in contrast to other parts of Europe.

Subsequently, a natural gas price peak to 119 euros per MWh in December, 2022 made immediate impact on wholesale electricity prices in other parts of Europe but did not influence electricity prices in Greece until a month later, when prices had begun falling elsewhere on the continent.

Wholesale electricity prices in Greece were Europe’s highest in January. However, several months later, in June and July, the setting had changed drastically, with Greek wholesale electricity prices ranked 15th among 32 European countries, RAAEY noted.

New RAE board members soon, candidacies due today

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Candidates seeking three vacant board positions, of seven in total, at RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, have until today to submit their applications.

The authority has been left with four board members since Tuesday as the terms of three officials, Nikos Boulaxis (photo), the former chief, his deputy Sotiris Manolkidis and board member Nektaria Karakatsani, have all ended.

The government is expected to move swiftly to decide on its proposal for new director at RAE, energypress sources informed. Boulaxis is not running for an additional term.

Talks have already begun in search of a date when the new RAE board will be presented, by law, to Greek Parliament’s permanent committee on institutions and transparency.

RAE’s board members are selected by the energy minister before proposed to this committee for appointment. The committee is usually given a 30-day period to discuss the proposals, but, in this case, procedures are expected to be swift.

Decisions on the RAE board’s new faces could be reached as soon as this weekend, sources informed.

Local committees to discuss NECP ahead of its finalization

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The new National Energy and Climate Plan will be presented to two parliamentary committees this Friday as part of wider consultation being staged by the energy ministry, including a recent presentation to energy sector officials at an event hosted by the Bank of Greece and ongoing public consultation, ending December 16.

The two committees, the Standing Committee on Production and Trade and the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection, will discuss the NECP this Friday as part of preparations ahead of the plan’s upcoming delivery to the European Commission.

Certain interventions made so far have been deemed constructive by the energy ministry and will be incorporated into the plan.

A finalized NECP could be forwarded to the European Commission before Christmas. If not, Brussels will definitely receive the plan before the end of the year.

Last week, deputy energy minister Gerassimos Thomas presented the key objectives of Greece’s new NECP to peers in Brussels. He emphasized that many of the Greek plan’s goals will seek to exceed targets that will soon be announced by the European Commission’s new administration.