The 61st edition of the Business File has been published. The October edition is dedicated on the Greek energy sector titled “Lacklustre Energy” by Robert McDonald.
“Greece was supposed to open its electricity market to competition in 2001 and its natural gas market by this year. By July 1, 2007 every household is supposed to have the right to choose an alternative supplier to DEI (the Public Power Corporation) and DEPA (the Public Gas Corporation).
It is not going to happen. Both Pasok and New Democracy governments delayed introducing the domestic legislation to comply with EU directives. It will be 2010 at the earliest before homeowners can think about changing their electricity supplier and 2030 before they can think about gas.
Two new laws passed in December last year finally made Greece compliant with EU directives and created the institutions necessary for a liberalized market. DEI and DEPA will retain ownership of the electricity grid and the country’s sole high0pressure gas pipeline system as natural monopolies but independent transmission system operators (TSOs) will manage them to ensure equal access for public and energy companies.
As a consequence private power companies are tentatively planning to build some 1,200 MW of new gas fired generating plant and DEI another 1,600 MW (1,200 MW gas and 400 MW lignite), starting next year with completion between 2010-2012…”
The English edition of the Business File is published by Kerkyra Publications. To contact them: email:
[email protected], www.economia.gr. Tel +30 210 3314 714 fax: +30 210 3230 663.