By Dimitris Gatsiou
“We are making many moves at the level of the European Union”. The specific aversion of the prime minister, in a discussion he had with journalists on the sidelines of yesterday’s reception for the restoration of democracy at the Presidential Palace, reflects not only Athens’ clear “no” to the Commission’s proposal for a horizontal reduction in natural gas use by 15%, but also the next wave of initiatives of the Greek capital, which cannot be ruled out even coming directly to the fore.
In anticipation of tomorrow’s meeting of the energy ministers of the European Union, which is expected to develop into a…bra de fer in terms of the moves of Brussels on the front of the energy crisis, another move on the part of Mr. Mitsotakis cannot be ruled out, which will relates to writing a letter to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. A letter, which will detail Greece’s strong concerns regarding the proposal to the Council for a new regulation, according to which all member states will have to reduce the use of natural gas by 15%.
“We, together with other countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Italy, cannot accept a horizontal reduction. First of all, because the natural gas imported by our country is utilized at a rate of 70% for the production of electricity and therefore concerns an inelastic demand.Furthermore, Greece is already developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen its energy efficiency and, on the other hand, has already implemented measures to limit electricity consumption both in the public sector and by households “, executives comment. At the same time, the government’s moves to ensure the much-desired energy sufficiency are constantly evolving. Particularly:
-Regarding the possibility of supplying and storing LNG, a special tanker has sailed that almost doubles the storage capacity of the terminal in Revythoussa, while there is a possibility of supplying more gas with reverse flow through the TAP pipeline from Italy.
-On the natural gas replacement front, the five natural gas power plants are ready, should the need arise, to operate using diesel.
-The available lignite units of PPC continue to operate with their current production capacity and do not show any shortages, while in September the new lignite unit, Ptolemaida 5, will start operating. At the same time, according to information, Greece will be ready by the end of 2022 to increase electricity production by five terawatts.
Athens, however, does not see on the horizon the possibility of an extraordinary Summit of the “27” leaders of the European Union on the energy crisis. “For there to be an extraordinary Synod there must also be a real object”, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized, in the discussion he had with journalists at the Presidential Palace.
Source: Capital
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