The privatization of DEPA is freezing again

Of Thanks to Floudopoulos

The judicial justification of DEPA with the decision of the Court of Appeal for the case of the debts of ELFE, does not seem to end the dispute that exists with the phosphate fertilizer industry for the pricing method in the period 2010 – 2015. This is because as it became known yesterday by industry, it will appeal to the highest level in the Supreme Court.

As is well known, the industry asked the Court of Appeals to award her an amount of 302 million euros and in fact she had won the case at first instance with the court awarding her an amount of 91 million euros.

Now, after the decision of the Court of Appeals, the scene has completely changed and the overdue debts of the industry amount, according to sources in DEPA, to 120 million euros, including interest.

However, the intention of ELFE to appeal to the Supreme Court, creates new data for the ongoing privatization process, which is re-entering the ice.

The importance of this case is crucial as in case DEPA loses, then the way is open for other claims by its customers.

But apart from the ELFE case, the privatization of DEPA seems to be in the background, at least for the next few months, and for another reason: as long as the company is under public control, there is the possibility of pursuing a discount policy for consumers. , in order to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis and increased gas bills.