Mytilineos overtakes PPC as leading high-voltage supplier

The Mytilineos group’s Protergia energy supply company has overtaken power utility PPC in the high-voltage category to become the new market leader, in this category, latest data issued by power grid operator IPTO covering January has shown.

Overall, for all categories combined, PPC shed nearly 3 percentage points in January, ending the month with a market share of 52.84 percent, down from 55.62 percent in December.

Protergia gained ground in all categories combined to capture second place in January with a market share of 14.65 percent, up from 9.19 percent in December. This rise has been mainly attributed to Mytilineos group member Aluminium of Greece’s switch from PPC to Protergia.

Heron was ranked third in all categories combined with a market share of 10.64 percent in January, down slightly from 10.76 percent in December.

In the medium-voltage category, PPC’s market share contracted to 34.7 percent in January from 36 percent in December, while Protergia and Heron both achieved gains. Heron’s market share in this category rose from 16.8 percent to 17.4 percent, while Protergia’s market share increased from 16 percent to 17.1 percent.

As for the low-voltage category, PPC shed just a mild fraction of its still-dominant market share, while Protergia was the big gainer, leaping nearly 1.5 percent, from 7.7 percent to 9.1 percent.

Overall electricity demand in Greece rose by 6.62 percent in January, 2024 compared to a year earlier, the IPTO data showed.

Also, renewable energy captured a 50.6 percent share of the country’s energy mix in January, followed by gas-fueled production, providing 41 percent of the month’s total, and hydropower, at 8.4 percent, the data showed.

 

Variable yellow tariffs lower than green tariffs in January

As predicted by the country’s electricity suppliers, variable yellow tariffs ended up being lower-cost options than their variable green-tariff counterparts for electricity consumers in January, the first month of the country’s new color-coded tariff system, introduced to simplify price comparisons.

Though yellow and green tariffs are both variable tariffs, the former represent a lesser risk for suppliers, as their levels are set at the end of each month.

Overall, yellow tariffs averaged a price of 13.74 cents per KWh in January, 7 percent less than the average for green tariffs, which was 14.72 cents per KWh.

Just one energy supplier offered a green tariff level that undercut the company’s yellow tariff in January. All other suppliers offered yellow tariffs as their best-priced options in the variable tariffs category.

Power utility PPC offered a yellow tariff at a rate of 12.34 cents per KWh in January, below its rate of 13.64 cents per KWh for green tariffs.

On the same wavelength, Protergia, a member of the Mytilineos group, offered a yellow tariff of 13.28 cents per KWh, undercutting the company’s rate of 14.3 cents per KWh for green tariffs in January.

Elpedison’s yellow tariff in January, set at 13.51 cents per KWh, was 21 percent cheaper than the company’s green tariff for the same month.

Fysiko Aerio’s yellow tariff of 13.6 cents per KWh undercut the supplier’s green-tariff offering for January by 5 percent, while Elinoil’s yellow tariff, set at 13.27 cents per KWh, also cost less than the supplier’s green tariff, set at 14.04 cents per KWh.

Under the new tariff system, consumers may also opt for fixed tariffs, dubbed blue tariffs, now also available over shorter 6 and 8-month terms, instead of just 12 months, as was the case at the time of the new system’s launch on January 1.

 

Protergia gets ball rolling with shorter-term, fixed tariff offer

Protergia, a member of the Mytilineos group, has become the country’s first electricity supplier to announce a shorter-term, six-month tariff following a revision of regulations enabling fixed tariffs to be shorter than the original one-year period required by new tariff rules introduced January 1.

Protergia’s fixed tariff, or blue tariff, as dubbed in Greece’s new color-coded tariff system, comes at an appealing price of less than 13 cents per KWh, according to local price-comparison website allazorevma.gr, well below an average of 15.5 cents per KWh recorded by variable tariffs in 2023.

The supplier’s initiative suggests competition in the fixed-tariffs category will be intense. Also, variable tariffs, based on wholesale price forecasts, appear headed for a slight reduction.

Consumers wanting to avoid regular price comparisons of variable tariffs in the coming months will have plenty of appealing fixed-tariff offers to choose from.

Under the country’s new tariff system, color-coding tariff categories for easier price-comparing ability, fixed tariffs, or blue tariffs, as well as variable tariffs, either yellow or green tariffs, were introduced January 1. Though yellow and green tariffs are both variable tariffs, the former are set at the end of each month, and, as a result, represent less of a risk for suppliers.

Also, later this year, officials plan to launch dynamic tariffs, to be dubbed orange tariffs, offering low-voltage consumers equipped with smart meters the ability to take advantage of fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices. The plan to install smart meters around the country now appears set for launch following years of delay.

 

PPC market share shrinks 3%, Mytilineos high-voltage leader

Power utility PPC’s overall market share contracted by three percentage points in January, from 56.1 to 53.1 percent, in mainland Greece, while the country’s three biggest independent suppliers all gained ground, latest figures published by the country’s energy exchange have shown.

As for the electricity market’s voltage-based sub-categories in January, Mytilineos is the market leader in the high-voltage category with a 39.1 percent market share, and PPC is at the forefront of both the medium and low-voltage categories with respective market shares of 42.6 and 63 percent, the energy exchange data showed.

In December, PPC’s market share had remained steady in the low-voltage category, while the company gained two percentage points in the medium-voltage category and shed 24 percentage points in the high-voltage category.

PPC’s considerable market-share loss in the high-voltage category has been mainly brought about by Aluminium of Greece’s shift away from PPC to Protergia, a fellow Mytilineos group member, now the high-voltage category’s market leader.

PPC dominating low-voltage supply despite greater customer outflow

Power utility PPC remained the dominant low-voltage supplier up until November, 2023, despite shedding an increased number of customers in the three months leading to the year’s second-last month, data published by RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water, has shown.

Consumers using a total of 6,500 low-voltage power meters left PPC during the seven-month period from February 1, 2023 to the end of August, but this outflow tripled to 18,500 power meters over the three-month period between September through November.

Independent energy supplier Zenith gained the most customers over the ten-month period from February through November, adding 45,000 customers to its list, 19,300 of these in the latter three months. Fysiko Aerio followed with 18,900 new customers during this ten-month period, while Elpedison was next with 13,200 additions.

Protergia continued to lead the pack among the independent suppliers, boosted by its takeover of Watt & Volt. Combined, the two companies shed a small number of customers in 2023, compared to the previous year.

The country’s universal supply service – or five biggest electricity suppliers, in terms of retail market share, required by law to cover the needs of black-listed consumers who have been shunned by suppliers over payment failures – remained relatively steady in 2023, losing just 1,100 customers. It was ranked seventh, overall.

 

PPC sets green tariff at 13.63 cents per KWh for January

A drop in wholesale electricity prices during the second half of December has enabled power utility PPC to launch its variable green tariff at a lower-than-expected rate of 13.63 cents per KWh for January.

The country’s electricity suppliers have just launched their new tariffs under the country’s new tariff system, introduced January 1.

PPC’s aforementioned green tariff rate concerns monthly low-voltage consumption of up to 500 KWh. The company’s green tariff for monthly consumption over 500 KWh has been set at 14.59 cents per KWh. Also, PPC’s nighttime green tariff rate was set at 11.55 cents per KWh.

The new green tariffs introduced January 1 have been implemented automatically for all consumers, unless they formally objected in the lead-up, up until December 31, and opted for other tariff categories.

Fixed tariffs, dubbed blue tariffs, as well as variable yellow tariffs have been made available under the revamped tariff system.

From now on, suppliers will be announcing green tariffs on the first of each month. Levels announced will remain valid for a month.

Elsewhere, Volton set a green tariff rate of 14.41 cents per KWh, including a 20 percent discount and 20 percent punctuality discount.

Elpedison set its green tariff at 17.06 cents per KWh. Zenith’s green tariff, dubbed Power Home Start, was set at 16.9 cents per KWh. Fysiko Aerio set a green tariff rate of 14.26 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount.

Volterra’s green tariff, including a discount, is 14.39 cents per KWh. Heron set a rate of 14.05 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount. NRG’s green tariff is priced at 14.1 cents per KWh, while Protergia’s green tariff, including a discount, was set at 14.26 cents per KWh.

 

Low-level fixed tariffs appealing for consumers

Fixed tariffs, which proved unpopular during the energy crisis as the absence of state subsidies – for this category – made them exorbitant, are now making a strong comeback.

Dubbed “blue tariffs” under the country’s new tariff system set to be introduced January 1, fixed tariffs have regained their appeal among consumers as the mild winter weather conditions in Europe and low natural gas prices have kept wholesale electricity prices at unusually low levels for this time of the year.

This is enabling fixed tariffs to be set at prices not expected to exceed variable green tariffs by more than 3 or 4 cents per KWh when they are also introduced at the beginning of the new year.

To date, five electricity retailers – PPC, Protergia, Elpedison, Heron and Elin – have announced new fixed tariffs, or blue tariffs, ranging between 14.9 and 17.9 cents per KWh. Other suppliers are expected to follow.

At such levels, many consumers are expected to opt for slightly higher-cost fixed tariffs rather than have to go shopping for the lowest-cost variable tariffs each month.

All this applies under the condition that the average wholesale electricity price for December remains at its current average of 105.07 euros per MWh all the way through the end of the month.

The new green tariffs being introduced at the start of the new year will be implemented automatically, for all consumers, unless they formally object and choose other categories.

Retail electricity market shares unchanged in November

Latest retail electricity market share figures, covering November, showed little change compared to the previous month, data released by the energy exchange has shown.

Power utility PPC’s retail market share edged up to 52.15 percent in November from 51.89 percent in October, the figures showed.

Heron continued to lead the pack of independent suppliers with a 12.94 percent market share, up slightly from October’s 12.79 percent. The Mytilineos group’s Protergia followed with a 7.91 percent market share, marginally down from October’s 8.24 percent, with Elpedison ranked third amongst the independent suppliers, registering a 6.49 percent market share, slightly up from 6.44 percent in October.

Elsewhere, NRG’s market share fell modestly to 5.60 percent from 5.79 percent in October; Watt and Volt captured a 5.12 percent, up from 5.09 percent in October; Fysiko Aerio EEE’s market share was 3.53 percent, up from 3.47 percent; Zenith’s performance rose to 2.31 percent from 2.19 percent; Volterra registered 2.09 percent from 2.20 percent, and Volton edged up to 1.17 percent from 1.15 percent.

 

Court hears case against power producers’ windfall tax formula

The Council of State, Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court, heard, last week, an appeal filed by energy company Heron and the Mytilineos metals and energy group’s Protergia and Corinth Power companies to challenge a tax formula applied for windfall profits of electricity producers.

The energy ministry has adopted a windfall tax formula proposed last year by RAAEY, the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy. It establishes windfall earnings to be taxed by comparing profits in 2022 with those of 2021.

The plaintiffs, in their case, contend that the use of 2021 as a base year for the comparisons is incorrect as it represents the inaugural year of the target model, which brought about anticipated inaccuracies as market players sought to adjust to this new mechanism.

Authorities ought to have gone back further in time for a fairer comparison with 2022 results before determining windfall profits to be taxed, the plaintiffs have argued in their case.

The Council of State will, most likely, uphold the windfall tax formula being applied as it has raised significant amounts for the Energy Transition Fund, helping millions of households and enterprises cope with the energy crisis through subsidized energy.

A decision by the Council of State is expected imminently.

 

Power utility PPC keeps October tariffs unchanged

Power utility PPC, the Greek retail electricity market’s dominant player, has announced unchanged nominal tariffs for October.

PPC’s October tariff, for monthly consumption of up to 500 kWh, was left unchanged at 15.5 cents per kWh, as was the supplier’s tariff for consumption levels exceeding this limit, unchanged at 16.7 cents per kWh. The supplier also set a nighttime consumption rate of 11.4 cents per kWh.

Local electricity market rules require suppliers to announce nominal tariffs – not including subsidies – for each forthcoming month by the 20th of every previous month.

Elsewhere, Elpedison set a tariff of 8 cents per kWh for its Value program. Heron announced an October tariff of 13.32 cents per kWh for its Simply Generous Home offer, including a 15 percent quantity-indexed discount, applicable six months on. Heron’s new Generous Guarantee Home program, combining a tariff upper limit of 17 cents per kWh and a punctuality discount of 10 percent, was set at 8.55 cents per kWh.

Protergia announced a rate of 8.88 cents per kWh for its Value Plus package. Watt+Volt announced a nominal tariff of 8.88 cents per kWh for its Value+ program. NRG set a tariff of 8.7 cents for its On Time+ program, including a 40 percent punctuality discount.

Zenith announced a rate of 7.9 cents per kWh for its Power Home for All program and a nighttime tariff of 6.9 cents per kWh. The supplier’s Power Home Go Electric program offers a daytime tariff of 7.5 cents per kWh and a nighttime rate of 6.5 cents per kWh.

Volton set a tariff of 9.45 cents per kWh, including a punctuality discount, for its Volton Energy Control program, whose rate without the discount works out to 12.60 cents per kWh. The company’s new Volton Energy Free program, offered free for the first month and including a punctuality discount, was set at 9.92 cents per kWh. This package’s tariff without the punctuality discount is 12.4 cents per kWh.

Fysiko Aerio kept its October tariff unchanged, offering a rate of 12.4 cents per kWh for its Maxi Free+ program, which, when factoring in an attached punctuality discount, drops to 9.2 cents per kWh.

Elin lowered its October tariff for the company’s Power On! Home Bonus package by 5 percent. As a result, the current month’s tariff of 13.5 cents per kWh for this package will be reduced to 12.8 cents per kWh, including a punctuality discount, in October.

PPC, independent suppliers announce unchanged tariffs

Power utility PPC, the Greek retail electricity market’s dominant player, and the country’s independent suppliers have announced unchanged nominal tariffs for August, compared to levels offered in June and July.

Local electricity market rules require suppliers to announce their nominal tariffs for each forthcoming month by the 20th of every previous month.

PPC’s August tariff for monthly consumption of up to 500 kWh was left unchanged at 0.155 euros per kWh, as was the supplier’s tariff for consumption levels exceeding this limit, unchanged at 0.167 euros per kWh.

The power utility’s decision to maintain its nominal tariffs at these levels suggests the government could once again offer low-voltage consumers subsidies in August. Consumers were offered subsidy support of 0.015 euros per KWh for June and July, when PPC’s nominal tariffs were equivalent to the levels just announced for next month.

Elsewhere, Heron announced an August tariff of 0.0855 euros per kWh for its Simply Generous Home offer, including a 10 percent discount for all, as well as a tariff of 0.1416 euros per kWh for its Generous Home offer, including a punctuality discount. Without this discount, the offer’s tariff level rises to 0.1770 euros per kWh.

Protergia announced a tariff of 0.0946 euros per kWh for its Protergia Home Value package and a 0.1098 euros per kWh tariff for its Home MVP Reward offer.

Elpedison set tariffs of 0.08 euros per kWh for its Elpedison Green Economy offer and 0.148 euros per kWh for its Elpedison Punctuality Day offer.

Fysiko Aerio announced a tariff of 0.085 euros per kWh. Volton set a tariff of 0.0945 euros per kWh, including a punctuality discount, and 0.1260 euros per kWh for its Volton Energy Control package, without a punctuality discount.

NRG set a tariff of 0.0959 euros per kWh, including a 30 percent punctuality discount, for its NRG On Time offer, which reaches 0.137 euros per kWh without the discount.

Zenith announced a tariff of 0.173 euros per kWh for its Zenith Home Basic offer, for monthly consumption of up to 270 kWh, and a tariff of 0.144 euros per kWh for its Zenith Power Home Now offer.

Watt & Volt announced a rate of 0.1098 euros per kWh, including a punctuality discount, for its Watt & Volt Reward package.

Elin set a tariff of 0.12 euros per kWh, with a punctuality discount, for its Elin Power On! Home Bonus package. Volterra announced a rate of 0.1398 euros per kWh.

PPC basic tariff unchanged at 15.5 cents/KWh for July

Power utility PPC, the Greek retail electricity market’s dominant player, has announced an unchanged basic low-voltage tariff for July, resetting its offer at 15.5 cents per KWh for monthly consumption of up to 500 KWh.

It remains unclear – for the first time since subsidies were introduced during the energy crisis – if the state will continue offering consumers cost support next month. The new government to emerge from the general election’s second round of voting this Sunday will decide on the issue.

PPC set a July tariff for monthly low-voltage consumption in excess of 500 KWh at 16.7 cents per KWh.

Ahead of the ongoing general election, the incumbent center-right New Democracy government provided subsidies worth 1.5 cents per KWh for June.

This support reduced PPC’s basic tariff to 14 cents per KWh and the tariff for consumption exceeding 500 KWh to 15.2 cents per KWh.

Based on recent rules introduced during the energy crisis, electricity suppliers are required to announce their tariffs for each forthcoming month by the 20th of every preceding month, the purpose of this demand being to intensify competition.

Protergia announced a July tariff of 11.15 cents per KWh for its Protergia Value program. Heron set a July price of 14.32 cents per KWh for its GENEROUS program as well as a tariff of 8.55 cents per KWh for its SIMPLY GENEROUS HOME, including a 10 percent discount. Elpedison announced a tariff of 17.90 cents per KWh for its Elpedison Economy program.

NRG set a July nominal tariff rate of 13.20 cents per KW. Volterra’s electricity tariff for household and business consumption was set at 13.98 cents per KWh. Volton’s offer was set at 9.45 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount, and 12.60 cents per KWh without this discount.

Watt+Volt announced a tariff of 11.15 cents per KWh for its Value program. Zenith’s offer is 14.40 cents for its Power Home program.

Fysiko Aerio’s residential MAXI FREE+ program offers a tariff of 9.20 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount.

Elin set a July rate of 12.5 cents per KWh for its Power On! Home Bonus, including a punctuality discount.

 

 

 

 

 

Heron market share rises to 10.82% following Viohalko deal

Energy company Heron has broken the electricity retail market’s 10 percent barrier, increasing its market share to 10.82 percent in May, a development further extending its lead over other independent suppliers, a latest monthly report published by the Hellenic Energy Exchange has shown.

Heron gained over three percent in May after ending April with a market share of 7.76 percent.

This gain by Heron was primarily the result of a supply agreement reached with metal processing company Viohalko, one of Greece’s biggest electricity consumers, following its departure from power utility PPC, the country’s dominant electricity supplier, whose market share subsequently fell to 55.68 percent in May from 59.49 percent in April.

Heron was followed by Protergia with a 7.63 percent market share in May, Elpedison (6.28%), Watt and Volt (5.15%), NRG (4.99%), Fysiko Aerio (3.13%), Zenith (2.32%), Volterra (2.12%) and Volton (0.81%).

The development of green-energy PPAs, offered over 10, 12 and 15 durations, has added a new dimension to the electricity market. Competition is intensifying as suppliers seek agreements with medium and high-voltage consumers.

Heron has just announced such an agreement with Meton Energy, a joint venture established by RWE Renewables and PPC Renewables.

 

 

PPC announces €0.1550/KWh residential tariff for June

Power utility PPC, the retail electricity market’s dominant player and, as a result, trend setter, has announced just a mildly reduced tariff for June, to 0.1550 euros per KWh, from May’s price of 0.1590 euros per MWh, for monthly residential consumption of up to 500 KWh.

Factoring in the government’s electricity subsidies for June, already announced, PPC’s finalized price for next month is 0.1400 euros per KWh.

PPC’s June tariff – without subsidies – for consumption of over 500 KWh, has been set at 0.1670 euros per KWh, while its nighttime tariff is 0.1140 euros per KWh.

The country’s electricity suppliers announced their tariffs for next month on May 20, based on market rules requiring all suppliers to deliver their respective tariffs for each forthcoming month by the 20th of every preceding month.

Volton announced an offer of 0.099 euros per KWh, including a punctuality discount, as part of its Volton Energy Control package.

Volterra announced a price of 0.11980 euros per KWh, not including subsidies.

Elin set a rate of 0.129 euros per KWh, not including subsidies, for its Power On! Home Comfort package.

Watt+Volt’s price for June is 0.12650 euros per KWh, without subsidies.

NRG announced a tariff of 0.12200 euros per KWh for its NRG On Time offer, which drops to 0.10700 euros per KWh with subsidies and 0.07040 euros per KWh with a punctuality discount.

Zenith announced a price of 0.09900 euros per KWh without subsidies and 0.08400 euros per KWh with subsidies.

Protergia’s June offer is 0.150 euros per KWh, which falls to 0.1265 euros per KWh when factoring in subsidies.

Fysiko Aerio’s residential Maxi Free Basic package offers a tariff of 0.1550 euros per KWh without subsidies, which drops to 0.120 euros per KWh with subsidies and a punctuality discount.

Heron announced, for its Simply Generous Home package, a June tariff of 0.1250 euros per KWh that falls to 0.1125 euros per KWh when including a monthly 10 percent discount, and 0.0975 euros per KWh with subsidies.

 

Viohalco third energy-intensive producer to leave PPC

Metal processing company Viohalco, one of Greece’s biggest electricity consumers, has become the third industrial producer to move away from power utility PPC after establishing an electricity supply agreement with independent producer Heron, company sources have told energypress.

Viohalco’s decision to part ways with PPC as its supplier follows departures by ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) and the Mytilineos group’s Aluminium of Greece, though this latter company’s move away has not yet been completed.

ELPE was the first energy-intensive producer to leave PPC after the two sides failed to reach a supply agreement in 2021. ELPE ended up establishing a supply agreement with Elpedison, in which it holds a 50 percent stake as part of a 50-50 venture with Edison.

Aluminium of Greece, the country’s biggest electricity consumer, is primarily supplied its energy needs by group subsidiaries Protergia and Watt+Volt. The producer aims to have completely ended its reliance on PPC for energy supply by 2024.

An existing supply agreement between PPC and Aluminium of Greece remains valid but is the last following a 60-year association, a development aligned with the Mytilineos group’s green-energy goals for its production of aluminium.

Meanwhile, other major producers, among them some of the country’s biggest energy consumers, have reached advanced talks with PPC to establish 10-year, green-energy power purchase agreements, through PPC subsidiary PPC Renewables.

 

PPC trims nominal tariff for May to 15.9 cents/KWh

Power utility PPC, the country’s dominant supplier and, as a result, price trendsetter, has announced a slightly reduced nominal tariff – without a subsidy deduction – for May, down roughly 3.5 percent to 15.9 cents per KWh from, 16.5 cents per KWh in April, for household monthly usage of up to 500 KWh.

By law, introduced last summer, all suppliers are required to announce their nominal tariffs for each forthcoming month by the 20th of each preceding month.

PPC set its nominal tariff for monthly electricity usage over 500 KWh at 17.1 cents per KWh from 17.7 cents in April.

Elpedison announced a nominal tariff of 12.5 cents per KWh for its Elpedison Economy package and a rate of 21.50 cents per KWh for its ElectricityHome Day package.

Heron set a nominal tariff of 19.40 cents per KWh for its Generous Home offer, which, when factoring in a punctuality discount, works out to 15.52 cents per KWh. Heron announced a nominal tariff of 14.2 cents per KWh for its Simply Generous Home offer, which includes a gift covering 10 percent of electricity usage.

Protergia announced a nominal tariff of 19 cents per KWh for its residential MVP Reward package, unchanged from its level set for April. Factoring in a punctuality discount offered by the company, this tariff level drops to 13 cents per KWh. Protergia has also launched a Protergia Home Value offer, priced at 13 cents per KWh for May. This offer does not include a punctuality discount.

Elsewhere, Volterra announced a nominal tariff of 18.8 cents per KWh for May; Volton set a price of 9.9 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount, or 13.2 cents per KWh without; Zenith set a rate of 11.5 cents per KWh for its Power Home Now package; Watt+Volt announced a rate of 13.96 cents per KWh; Fysiko Aerio set a rate of 13 cents per KWh, unchanged from April and down to 10 cents per KWh when taking into account a discount for punctual electricity bill payments; and Elin announced a price of 13.9 cents per KWh for its Power On! Home Comfort package.

The energy ministry is expected, next week, to announce its subsidy support level for May. If this support amount is unchanged compared to the previous month, finalized residential retail tariffs will be slightly lower in May.

 

 

 

Power usage in February falls for 8th month in a row, down by 2.25%

Electricity usage in Greece fell for an eighth successive month in February, dropping by 2.25 percent, compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, data in a latest report from power grid operator IPTO has shown.

However, the February drop was far milder than the 13.78 percent electricity usage decline recorded in January.

Consumers in Greece used an electricity amount of 4,069 GWh in February, down from 4,163 GWh in February, 2022.

Monthly electricity usage in the country has not stopped declining since an initial fall registered last July.

Renewable energy dominated February’s energy mix, capturing a 41.2 percent share, followed by gas-fueled power stations, with 22.5 percent, and lignite-fired power stations, at 15 percent.

As for retail electricity market shares, power utility PPC, the dominant player, gained 2.5 percent in February. compared to the previous month, for a 62.58 percent market share.

Among the independent suppliers, Protergia, a member of the Mytilineos group, remained at the forefront in February with a 7.44 percent retail market share, down from 10.53 percent a month earlier.

The country’s two other vertically integrated energy groups followed. Heron ended January with a 7.03 percent market share, up from 6.83 percent, and Elpedison captured a 5.91 percent market share, down from 6.02 percent.

Elsewhere, NRG captured a 4.82 percent retail electricity market share in January, up from 4.55 percent, followed by Aerio Attikis at 2.78 percent, marginally above the previous month’s 2.66 percent; Zenith registered 2.23 percent (2.17%); Watt & Volt was at 2.09 percent (2.06%); and Volterra captured 1.81 percent (1.8%). The remainder of suppliers shared a total of 3.3 percent.

 

Suppliers cut prices for April, PPC rate at 16.5 cents/KWh

The country’s electricity suppliers have announced a latest round of tariff reductions for April, power utility PPC, the market’s dominant player, leading the way with a greater-than-expected 16 percent price reduction.

PPC set an April rate of 16.5 cents per KWh for monthly consumption of up to 500 KWh, down from 19.5 cents per KWh for March, as well as a rate of 17.7 cents per KWh, down from 20.7 cents per KWh in March, for monthly usage exceeding 500 KWh.

Based on recent law, electricity retailers in Greece are required to announce their tariffs for each forthcoming month by the 20th of every preceding month.

The retail price reductions for April, which had been anticipated as a result of falling wholesale electricity prices of late, will essentially not lower energy costs for users, but the government, which has been providing subsidies throughout the energy crisis to limit residential tariffs to levels of between 15 and 16 cents per KWh, will be able to greatly decrease, or even zero out, its outlay on subsidies and keep tariffs at a level it desires.

Independent supplier Heron announced an April price rate of 15.68 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount, for its Generous Home package. The supplier’s rate without the discount was set at 19.6 cents per KWh.

Elpedison announced a price of 19.5 cents per KWh for its Electricity HomeDay package as well as a 12.5 cents per KWh for its Elpedison Economy offer.

Protergia set an April rate of 19.98 cents per KWh, regardless of usage level, for its residential Energy Save offer, as well as a price of 13.98 cents per KWh for its residential MVP Reward package, including a punctuality discount, or 19.98 cents per KWh without this discount.

Elsewhere, NRG’s rate for its On Time offer was set at 13.94 cents per KWh, when factoring in a punctuality discount, or 16.4 cents per KWh without the discount.

Volton’s rate for April is 16.4 cents per KWh with a punctuality discount and 17.26 cents per KWh without.

Fysiko Aerio set an April price of 10.4 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount, for its Maxi Free package, whose rate is 13.9 cents per KWh without the discount.

Volterra set a rate of 18.8 cents per KWh. Watt & Volt announced a price of 19.95 cents per KWh, regardless of consumption level, for its Zero package, as well as a rate of 14 cents per KWh, plus a fixed charge of 3 euros per month, for its Value package.

Zenith set an April rate of 16.4 cents per KWh for its Power Home Basic package. Elin set a rate of 14.8 cents per KWh for its Power On! Home Comfort offer.

PPC announces virtually unchanged tariffs for March

Main power utility PPC, the dominant retail player and trend setter, has announced a virtually unchanged nominal tariff for March, for monthly consumption of up to 500 KWh, at 19.5 cents per KWh, marginally below the company’s tariff of 19.9 cents offered for February.

PPC’s nominal tariff – the price offered ahead of state subsidy-related reductions – for consumers using over 500 KWh in a month was set at 20.7 cents per KWh.

Based on a new market rule intended to keep electricity prices competitive, suppliers are required to announce their tariffs for each forthcoming month on the 20th of every preceding month.

Protergia announced a tariff level of 18.8 cents per KWh for March, if taking into account a payment punctuality discount included in its MVP Reward package, which, if not taken advantage of by customers, results in a tariff level of 24.8 cents per KWh.

Elpedison set a nominal tariff of 14.5 cents per KWh for its Elpedison Economy package as well as a tariff of 20.27 cents per KWh, following a punctuality discount, for its Elpedison Synepia program.

Heron announced a tariff level of 20.4 cents per KWh, including a 20 percent payment punctuality discount, as part of its Generous Home package.

NRG’s rate for March was set at 16.9 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount; Volton set a price of 18.9 cents per KWh, taking into account a punctuality discount; Fysiko Aerio Attikis announced a punctuality-discounted rate of 18.5 cents per KWh; Volterra’s rate is 21.4 cents per KWh; Watt+Volt announced a price of 24.5 cents per KWh; and Zenith’s rate for March is 14 cents per KWh.

The government’s anticipated state subsidy offer, maintained amid the energy crisis to subdue electricity prices, is expected to bring down finalized March tariffs to levels of between 14 and 16 cents per KWh. This year is an election year in Greece.

PPC retail electricity market share at 63.3% in December

Power utility PPC’s captured a retail electricity market share of 63.29 percent in December, followed by the Mytilineos group’s Protergia, at 7.6 percent, Heron, at 7.03 percent, and Elpedison, at 6.09 percent, a latest report published by the Hellenic Energy Exchange has shown.

Day-ahead market prices in December rose 22 percent, averaging 276 euros per MWh compared to 227 euros per MWh in November, while electricity demand increased to 4,488 GWh from 4,109 GWh, the Energy Exchange data showed.

As for December’s energy mix, natural gas-fueled electricity captured the greatest share, 37 percent, followed by renewables, at 24 percent, electricity imports, at 19 percent, lignite-fired generation, at 15 percent, and hydropower, at 3 percent.

Power retailers set higher January prices, up at least 25%

The country’s electricity suppliers have announced significantly higher household power prices for January, up at least 25 percent compared to December, driven higher by a latest wholesale electricity price surge.

The government is expected to provide electricity subsidies that will bring down January’s retail prices to a level of between 15 and 17 cents per KWh.

A recently introduced domestic market rule requires the country’s electricity retailers to announce their retail prices for each forthcoming month by the 20th of the preceding month.

Power utility PPC, the dominant player, announced a January price level of 48.9 cents per KWh for monthly consumption of up to 500 KWh and 50.01 cents for consumption over this level, a 29 percent increase from December.

Elpedison announced a price of 45 cents per KWh for its Electricity HomeDay package, up from 35 cents in December.

Heron’s January retail price was set at 36 cents per KWh, including a punctuality discount. This supplier’s offer reaches 45 cents per KWh without the discount.

Protergia’s residential MVP Plus offer was set at 44.8 cents per KWh. Watt + Volt’s Zero Plus offer was priced at 45.9 cents per KWh. Fysiko Aerio announced a rate of 35.8 cents per KWh for its MAXI Free BASIC package, a price level including a punctuality discount. Zenith’s January price for its Power Home Basic package is 46.5 cents per KWh. NRG’s offer for its NRG Prime package is 44 cents per KWh.

Volton announced a price of 44.9 cents per KWh. Volterra set its price at 51.8 cents per KWh, while Elin’s rate was set at a standard level of 37.5 cents per KWh, regardless of consumption level.

 

Local energy firms hedging in European Energy Exchange

An increasing number of energy companies in Greece are opting to hedge through the European Energy Exchange (EEX) and the derivatives market as a means of monitoring and countering risks prompted by strong price fluctuations and volatility in markets.

Most recently, the Mytilineos group registered with the European Energy Exchange, joining Protergia, the group’s energy supply company, which was already a member. Two major energy companies are set to follow suit, energypress sources informed.

The liquidity of the European Energy Exchange, combined with the security offered by a range of its products, allows participants to hedge their exposure to the markets and, therefore, reduce their risk ratio to sustainable levels.

Given that the EEX is a market leader in power derivatives, it offers significant opportunities to participants, as they can trade in 20 markets in addition to the Greek market, which currently has specific limits and restricted liquidity.

At present, the EEX includes 13 Greek participants, the majority trading in the producer market and 4 in the spot market, while two more new registrations are expected to be announced within the next few days.

 

Electricity demand falls for fourth consecutive month

Electricity demand in the household and business categories fell for a fourth consecutive month in October, plunging 9.25 percent compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, power grid operator IPTO’s monthly report has shown.

This downward trend highlights the efforts being made by anxious consumers to keep their energy costs down. At this rate, Greece appears to be on target to achieve the country’s energy-saving goals.

Electricity demand had fallen 3.27 percent in September, 13.17 percent in August, and 11.78 percent in July.

In terms of quantity, electricity demand fell to 3,604 GWh last month from 3,971 GWh in October, 2021, according to the IPTO report.

Domestic electricity production also dropped sharply last month, falling 22.94 percent compared to October, 2021, to 3,155 GWh.

Market shares of electricity retailers also changed. Power power PPC’s market share dropped below 60 percent for the first time in months, reaching 56.73 percent, down from 60.81 percent in September.

Protergia, a member of the Mytilineos group, gained from PPC’s loss, its market share climbing, for a second consecutive month, to 12.88 percent from 8.77 percent in September.

Heron maintained third place with a 7.31 percent market share, followed by Elpedison (6.50%), NRG (4.66%), Fysiko Aerio (2.32%), Volterra (2.29%), Watt & Volt (1.93%), Zenith (1.87%) and Volton (1.04%).

 

 

Suppliers announce reduced power tariffs for December

Power utility PPC, the Greek retail electricity market’s dominant player, has just announced a slightly reduced household electricity price for December, at 38 cents per kWh for monthly consumption levels of up to 500 kWh and 39.2 cents per kWh for monthly consumption levels of over 500 kWh, down from respective rates of 39.7 cents per kWh and 40.9 cents per kWh in November.

Under recently introduced new rules, suppliers are required to announce prices for each forthcoming month by the 20th of the preceding month.

Elpedison reduced the household tariff level of its Electricity Home Day offer to 35 cents per kWh for December, from 38 cents per kWh in November.

Heron’s Generous Home offer, including a 20 percent punctuality discount, dropped to 30.4 cents per kWh.

Protergia reduced its December tariff to 36.8 cents per kWh, from 39.5 cents per kWh a month earlier.

Fysiko Aerio announced a December price of 31.8 cents per kWh, which drops to 29.8 cents per kWh if factoring in the supplier’s punctuality discount.

NRG announced a price of 36.8 cents per kWh, as well as 31.9 cents per kWh for its Prime program.

Watt+Volt reduced its rate to 38.9 cents per kWh from 40.6 cents per kWh. NRG

Volton announced a December rate of 36.67 cents per kWh, while Elin’s rate dropped considerably to 28.5 cents per kWh from 39.5 cents in November.

Government subsidy support for consumers will bring down these retail levels to between 15 and 16 cents per kWh, unchanged from the previous month. Given the lower prices announced by suppliers, the government’s subsidy contributions will be reduced.

For November, the government needed to provide 430 million euros in subsidies, through the Energy Transition Fund, to subdue retail electricity levels at 15 to 16 cents per kWh.

 

Minor retail electricity market share changes in target model era

The domestic introduction, just under two years ago, of the target model, aiming to integrate the wholesale electricity markets of all EU member states, has brought about little change in the market shares of suppliers.

Power utility PPC’s retail market share has contracted by just over 4 percent, from 66.33 percent in November, 2020, to 62.01 percent in September, 2022, a loss unequally divided between independent suppliers.

In September, 2022, PPC’s retail market share fell to 62.01 percent from 64.41 percent a month earlier, while, during the same period, the collective market share of independent suppliers increased from 35.59 percent to 37.99 percent.

During this one-month period, HERON rose to second place among the independent electricity suppliers with a market share of 6.8 percent, behind Protergia, a member of the Mytilineos group, whose market share rose to 8.65 percent in September from 7.2 percent in August.

Elpedison dropped to third place among the independent suppliers with a 6.54 percent share in September, a marginal rise from 6.49 percent in August.

NRG, which is ranked fourth among the independent suppliers, also experienced a marginal increase in its market share to 4.76 percent from 4.7 percent, as did fifth-placed Aerio Attikis, reaching 2.34 percent from 2.13 percent.

Debate, amid the energy crisis, is still going strong about the rules for consumer switches from one electricity supplier to another. An increased number of consumers are leaving behind unpaid electricity bills when switching suppliers, fresh market data has shown, prompting a supplier association to call for restrictions.

Supplier consumer shifts grind to virtual halt in 3rd quarter

Consumer shifts from one electricity supplier to another grinded to a virtual halt in the third quarter of this year, independent suppliers gaining a total of just 1,440 household and small-business customers during the three-month period, compared to the previous quarter, data provided by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO has shown.

Power utility PPC, the dominant market player, increased its number of household and small business customers by a 850 in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter.

This means that the individual fluctuations of alternative suppliers were caused by movements between private companies.

At the end of September, independent suppliers represented 1.68 million low-voltage customers, while PPC represented approximately 4.97 million.

Zenith gained the biggest number of customers in the third quarter, the company’s rise exceeding 17,000. Heron, Aerio Attikis and Elpedison also gained customers during this period, 7,700, 4,200 and 2,300, respectively. Volton suffered the greatest loss of customers, 13,600, according to the DEDDIE/HEDNO data.

Protergia topped the list of independent players with approximately 287,000 low-voltage customers, followed by Elpedison (276,000) and Heron (249,000), the DEDDIE/HEDNO figures showed.

 

November retail electricity prices down by more than 30%

The country’s electricity suppliers have announced reduced tariffs for November of more than 30 percent compared to the current month’s levels, a drop attributed to projections for a further de-escalation of wholesale electricity prices in November as a result of a plunge in international gas prices.

Power utility PPC, Greece’s dominant electricity retailer, has reduced its tariff for households to 39.7 cents per kWh for its low-consumption category of up to 500 kWh, a 33 percent reduction compared to November’s price of 59.5 cents per kWh. PPC’s tariff for consumption exceeding 500 kWh was set at 40.9 cents per kWh for November.

Based on new law, suppliers are required to announce their electricity prices for the forthcoming month by the 20th of each preceding month.

Independent supplier Elpedison announced a November price of 38 cents per kWh for its Electricity Home Day package, down roughly 36 percent compared to October’s price of 59.05 cents per kWh. This offer does not include fixed charges.

Protergia’s price for November was set at 39.5 cents from 57.63 cents in October. Heron’s November price for its GENEROUS Home package, which includes a 20 percent punctuality discount, is 37.6 cents per kWh from 55.8 cents in October, a 32 percent reduction.

Elsewhere, Zenith dropped to 38.5 cents per kWh from October’s 58.9 cents, a reduction of approximately 35 percent; Watt & Volt fell to 40.6 cents from 58.9 cents; Elin went to 39.5 cents per kWh from 59.9 cents; Fysiko Aerio dropped its price to 35 cents per kWh from 59.4 cents in October, and Volton set a November price of 39.6 cents per kWh.

PPC’s October tariff down 25%, similar cuts by all players

Power utility PPC, the dominant retail player, has announced an October tariff for households of 0.595 cents per KWh, 25 percent lower than the September tariff offered by the utility.

This 25 percent month-to-month reduction rate more or less applies for October household tariffs offered by all the country’s suppliers, who have just announced their tariffs for next month.

Under new market rules, electricity retailers must announce their tariffs for forthcoming months by the 20th of each preceding month.

PPC’s tariff of 0.595 cents per KWh is for monthly consumption of up to 500 KWh. The utility’s tariff for consumption over this level was set at 0.607 euros per KWh.

Protergia announced an October household tariff of 0.57630 euros/KWh. Elpedison’s October tariff was set at 0.5905 euros/KWh. Heron’s new tariff is 0.698 euros/KWh, with a punctuality discount rate of 20 percent that reduces its level to 0.5584 euros/KWh. Elsewhere, October household tariffs are: Volterra, 0.685 euros/KWh; Fysiko Aerio, 0.594 euros/KWh; Zenith, 0.589 euros/KWh; Watt+Volt, 0.5890 euros/KWh; Elin, 0.599 euros/KWh; Volton, 0.589 euros/KWh.

In September, the government spent 1.9 billion euros on electricity subsidies to contain retail prices at levels of between 14 and 16 cents per KWh.

Subsidies for October, to be inversely related to consumption, are scheduled to be announced today.

September subsidy support results in tariffs as low as €0.02/KWh

Household electricity prices in September will range from as low as €0.02 per KWh, well below pre-crisis levels, to €0.16 per KWh, given the government’s latest subsidy plan for the month, offering €0.639 per KWh for all households and all suppliers, a support package based on September’s price levels announced by power utility PPC, supplying the majority of Greece’s households and businesses.

The government’s subsidy package is based on an intention to lower household electricity prices to August levels (€0.15-€0.16/KWh), which led to a subsidy offer of €0.639 per KWh.

PPC set its price for September at €0.788/KWh for the first 500 KWh of consumption and €0.80/KWh for consumption beyond this level. Deducting the government’s €0.639 subsidy offer takes the resulting price for consumers to between €0.149 and €0.161/KWh, the levels charged in August.

As for other suppliers, Protergia’s resulting price, once the subsidy has been factored in, is €0.14313/KWh, down from the nominal price of €0.78213 cents.

Elpedison’s nominal rate for September was set at €1.0864/KWh, minus a €0.40/KWh Elpedison Loyalty Pass discount, taking the offer to €0.6864, which, following the government’s subsidy deduction, results in a net charge of just €0.029/KWh.

Heron’s €0.75/KWh price works out to a net charge of €0.111/KWh once the government’s €0.639/KWh subsidy has been factored in.

Mytilineos’ Watt+Volt purchase signals start of takeovers

Vertically integrated Mytilineos’ acquisition of energy retailer Watt+Volt, a move that was announced yesterday and which takes the buyer’s electricity market share close to double digit figures, is seen as the beginning of a series of upcoming takeovers in the retail electricity and gas markets as survival conditions for players become more challenging.

In taking over Watt+Volt, Mytilineos, the market leader among the country’s vertically integrated energy groups, has added to its portfolio the biggest and most robust of the market’s non-vertically integrated players.

Mytilineos, represented by Protergia in the retail energy market, has now increased its market share to nearly 10 percent. Its customers total 550,000 and the company controls nearly 100 outlets.

In addition, the acquisition bolsters Mytilineos’ market presence in the electromobility market to 516 charging stations around the country.