The decisions in Maximou for energy efficiency and the message of reassurance

By Dimitris Gatsios

The government is sending messages of readiness on the front of the country’s energy efficiency. And these messages, as they emerged at the end of the extraordinary meeting at the Maximos Palace, under the Prime Minister, include even the extreme scenarios that may appear on the horizon of May, with government officials emphasizing, in any case, that even if Moscow has closed and for Athens the gas tap has taken all the necessary measures, so that the switch does not go down. “There is no way we can lower the switch. There is no way we can be surprised in that direction”, is the signal that is emitted, in a dual target momentum for Maximos and financial staff. And this momentum is moving in two directions:

On the one hand, it includes the acceleration of the procedures for the implementation of the national support plan. “In any case, what is needed is for the European Commission to implement the directive it received from the leaders and submit its proposal. At the same time, the country is working on its own National Plan for a more decisive intervention in the price of electricity and with We are working on various scenarios and options, we are not too far from the submission of this Plan.The goal is to set the price of electricity for the consumer much lower than it is today.The way it will be done this is being evaluated “, said (Sky) the government spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou.

– On the other hand, it includes the increasing pressure on Brussels on the front that we used to call “common European answers, to a common European problem”, with our country considering the possibility of submitting, in the coming days, a request to accelerate Summit, scheduled for the end of May.

“We are and will remain energy safe”

On the issue of the next payments to Gazprom, which are to be made in the third ten days of May, government officials note that by then it is expected that the behavior of states and companies in terms of the issue will have been clarified. “Payments are made in euros, which are then converted into a second ruble account based on Russia’s new requirements, thereby strengthening the ruble. Although the amount paid is no different, the question is whether sanctions are being violated. “, which should be noted does not include the interruption of the gas market, due to the consequences it would have on European economies. In any case, Greece is and will remain energy safe”, they point out.

Even in the most extreme scenario, however, the Ministry of Energy has drawn up a plan to meet the country’s needs. Among others:

– DESFA promotes the upgrade of the storage capacity of the Revythousa terminal.

– DEPA Commerce monitors the availability of LNG cargo in international markets, in order to procure additional cargo if necessary.

– Increase in gas flows from Azerbaijan through TAP is being considered.

PPC has prepared an annual plan for increased lignite mining over the next two years by 50% and its availability in factories.

– Five power plants with 1.7 GW natural gas are ready to operate with diesel.

– The storage of gas in Italy for the maintenance of strategic reserve and the submarine storage in Kavala is promoted.

The plan also includes the completion of critical infrastructure that will enhance the country’s energy security, such as the Greece-Bulgaria IGB and Greece-Northern Macedonia interconnector gas pipelines, the new liquefied natural gas terminals in Corinth and Alexandroupoli. electrical connections with neighboring countries, such as Egypt.