A. Scherzos: How energy prices will fall

A plan for specific short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions at European level for the reduction of energy prices, unfolds in an article in “Nea Savvatokyriako”, the Minister of State Akis Skertsos, a plan proposed by the Prime Minister to the Council Koryma. In the same article, the Minister of State answers why, according to the government’s approach, “indirect tax cuts and national ceilings on energy prices do not address the problem at its root.”

His starting point is that “reducing high energy and fuel prices is now the number one priority of the government” and this is because, as A. Skertsos argues, “they violently affect the citizens and the family planning of every household, increase inflation. they gnaw incomes, they make Greek products much more expensive not only in the domestic but also in the international markets, so they reduce our competitiveness “.

Moreover, “they are eroding the effectiveness of European economic sanctions on Russia – which, as a producer of gas and oil, gains what it loses from one pocket to the other. Finally, and even worse, the ghosts of populism and anti-systemicism are being revived. outrage across Europe “.

Given this, he continues in his analysis, “the risks are once again great and existential in nature for each European country individually and for our union as a whole. And the magnitude of the problem is so great – the additional cost only for the Greek economy is calculated “already at 14 billion euros – which no country can solve on its own. The solutions must be European, unconventional and immediate. Now, not in six months”, he notes emphatically and adds:

“So what are the available solutions and what can we do? Let ‘s say first of all that Europe can not become directly dependent on Russian gas because there are no internationally viable alternatives to fully meet our needs. But neither can domestic sources. “They can immediately offer energy autonomy and cheaper fuels. We can achieve this in 5 to 8 years until more RES are developed and more natural gas is pumped as a transition fuel, but not now.”

At the same time, the Minister of State responds – through his article – to the criticism received by the government for lack of reaction measures: “Indirect tax cuts and national ceilings in energy prices also do not address the problem at its root. It is like a lot They cost a lot of money in national budgets, deprive them of significant revenue to fund public goods such as schools, hospitals and security, and have a very clear class sign in favor of the rich when they are horizontal. to the energy companies will again have to be paid from the pocket of the Greek taxpayers “.

That is why “we need a plan for short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions at European level. And this was suggested by the Prime Minister at yesterday’s Summit,” he said.

“Immediately now the European energy regulators should intervene with the six-point toolbox we proposed in the gas stock market to stop the extreme speculative tendencies and to balance the prices at lower and more reasonable levels. The markets are not perfect even when manipulated into the interests of citizens must be regulated.

In the medium term, but starting now, use Europe’s collective trading power for shared gas supplies. We did it in vaccines, we can do it now. Stop myopic national agreements and move on to a European gas supply contract for the next two winters.

“And in the long run to accelerate the licensing and installation of RES, such as offshore wind farms, energy interconnections with other countries and the exploitation of potential domestic gas fields.”

In conclusion, “targeted support for the most vulnerable incomes and smaller businesses will continue unabated by the government. But the problem is not solved by benefits alone. A broader and ambitious plan is needed to make Europe a real energy union and Greece more autonomous “. “If not now, when?”, The Minister of State asks in closing.

Source: AMPE