PPC: We will accept bill payment without real estate fee

 

This is what PPC members reported to the Athens News Agency on the occasion of the decision of the First Instance Court of Athens that ruled as illegal the collection of tax through electricity bills. They added that they are in consultations with the Finance ministry to find a final solution to the problem as the separation of the fee from the bills does not mean its elimination.

 

It should be noted that the State Council’s decision in May last year had ruled as unconstitutional the cutting of power for those that could not pay the fee. In contrast, the very fee was ruled by a majority as not violating the Greek Constitution.

 

Increases in PPC medium and high voltage tariffs

 

Meanwhile, the PPC will proceed to increases in electricity tariffs from January 1, first for medium and high voltage consumers, in order to cover the additional cost of purchasing carbon dioxide emission allowances.

 

This is indicated in a letter that PPC president A. Zervos sent to the Regulatory Authority for Energy, adding that the extra cost will be passed on to all consumers. The start will come from medium and high voltage tariffs, which are deregulated, while low voltage tariffs will be approved after the RAE audit and a ministerial decision expected in January.

 

The additional cost for carbon emissions springs from the fact that according to an EU directive, electricity producing companies are obliged to buy allowances for the amount of pollutants emitted from 01/01/2013. So far, most of these allowances were granted gratis by the member-states.

 

"The integration of the cost of greenhouse gas emissions in the PPC cost data has the effect of increasing the cost of production and distribution of electricity with consequent changes in electricity prices to consumers of all voltages," Zervos says.

 

According to market sources, the charge in the tariffs is estimated at around 10%. The PPC however, declined to specify the percentage, saying that invoices are deregulated.