The member-companies of the Hellenic Association of Independent Power Producers (HAIPP) have implemented the largest investments in the Greek energy sector in the last years; and they are actively contributing in the formation of a truly liberalized electric power market, which will operate in a beneficial way for end consumers
The true liberalization of the electric power market will bring significant benefits for the country, the environment and consumers:
Safeguard of adequate power supply for Greece through extended investments (over €1.5 billion) in new and efficient generation units, which were implemented by HAIPP’s member-companies in a way that essentially contributes in the development of the Greek economy
Creation of flexible power capacity, which will be able to support peak needs, as well as the maximum induction of Renewable Energy Sources in the energy mix, even during poor hydrological years
Operation of environmentally friendly units, which will crucially contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and other pollutants, as they do not squander, but use energy resources efficiently
Development of independent, vertically integrated, electric power companies, with modern production facilities and effective selling mechanisms to the end consumer
Development of independent, vertically integrated, Creation of new jobs
Development of independent, vertically integrated, Safeguard of competitive prices/ tariffs without cross-shaped or indirect subsidies
For HAIPP, a truly liberalized electric power market means that:
All power producers – without any exception – can secure equal access to every available energy resource (lignite – water resources)
The wholesale market operates in a transparent manner. This means that:
Distortions in the way the market operates, the electric loads are declared and the hydroelectric generation plants operate, must be lifted
The PPC units that are obsolete and polluting must cease operations
Tariffs paid by end consumers must be connected with the wholesale price
There will be an effective unbundling of PPC’s generation, transmission and distribution activities, in order for transparency to be secured in the way costs and the respective charges of monopolistic activities, which are paid by consumers, are formed 1
Any further delay in the establishment of measures for the immediate lifting of market distortions and the true liberalization of the Greek electric power market will:
Undermine the country’s efforts to become an energy hub for the broader region and essentially mark a policy change
Artificially devaluate modern and competitive generation units, the participation of which, is absolutely necessary in the country’s energy mix. The participation of these generation units is necessary, even if the – coincidental – increased availability of hydroelectric units and electric power imports create excess capacity. Yet, this capacity is coincidental and insecure
Increase the Greek economy’s and end consumers’ exposure to the additional costs that will be incurred as a result of the incorporation of the full CO2 costs into the electric power generation costs from January 1st, 2013 onwards
Damage the country’s credibility in the eyes of Greek and foreign investors, something which may result in serious consequences for its development and prosperity under present critical circumstances.
HAIPP is always ready to cooperate, in good faith, with all involved parties and organizations for the creation of a truly liberalized electric power market, where energy security and sufficiency will be a permanent acquis and where end consumers will enjoy a total electric power cost (economic, environmental, social) that will be internationally competitive and – if all costs are taken into account – lower compared to the current cost.
1The proportion of the charges of monopoly services offered by PPC (transmission, distribution etc.) in the tariffs paid by end consumers exceeds 50%, i.e. its higher than the power generation cost (System Marginal Price).