The Public Power Corporation (PPC) has asked the Development Ministry to approve average rate rises of 4 percent, citing the need to meet higher depreciation costs and realize a reasonable return on invested capital. Sources say that the ministry is not prepared to endorse the demand, arguing that it is above current inflation trends, though it is considered certain that the increases will take effect within the summer. PPC is also claiming the sums of 322 million euros from public service benefits and of 1,364 million euros as compensation for investments it has not been able to put into operation. Meanwhile, PPC labour unions today are expected to anounce go-slows, protesting government plans which they say exclude the corporation from tenders of power production projects. They claim deregulation, as planned, will cause a “dramatic rise” in electricity rates.