European Commission: The government ignored warnings about energy

The response of the European Commission's Energy Commissioner, Caitlin Simpson, to a question from the MEP of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, is a blow to the Greek government's stance., Stelios Kouloglou, for the energy poverty in Greece and the failure to transpose Directive 2019/944 on the energy market, protection against excessive charges, and safeguarding vulnerable populations.

In her response, the Commissioner reveals that in February 2021, the Greek government received a warning letter from the Commission for failing to transpose the directive in question, as it was required to do by December 31, 2020. In fact, as she notes, the Greek government responded very late, in December 2021, announcing only measures for partial transposition of the directive while reserving the right to take action again if necessary.

According to Commissioner Simpson, this directive outlines a comprehensive framework for protecting, informing, and empowering consumers in the EU electricity sector.

More specifically, the Energy Commissioner explains that as early as October 2021, the Commission had presented a «toolbox» of national measures to tackle rising energy prices, provide urgent support to households, avoid disconnections, defer payments, provide aid to businesses, and reduce taxes. This «toolkit» was further strengthened after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, setting out further joint actions and options for affordable, secure, and sustainable energy supplies for European citizens.

In detail, Commissioner Simpson's response was as follows: «The crisis situation prevailing in EU Member States is deeply worrying, particularly in terms of its impact on lower-income households and the worsening of energy poverty.

On October 13, 2021, the Commission issued a communication on energy prices, including a «toolbox» of measures to address the emergency increase in global energy prices. Short-term national measures include emergency income support, safeguards to prevent disconnections, temporary payment deferrals, state aid for businesses, and targeted tax reductions.

Further announcements on March 8 and March 23, 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, set out further joint actions and options for affordable, secure, and sustainable energy supplies. The recast Directive (EU) 2019/944 on electricity [1] sets out a comprehensive framework for the protection, information, and empowerment of consumers in the EU electricity sector.

Specifically, with regard to Greece, the Commission issued a warning letter in February 2021 for failure to notify measures fully transposing the Directive into national law. Greece has since notified partial transposition of the Directive into national law in December 2021. The Commission services are currently assessing these measures. Once this process is complete, the Commission will take further action if necessary. The Commission remains in close contact with the Greek authorities on these issues. [1] Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market in electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (EU L 158 of L158, 14.06.2019).

The entire question posed by St. Kouloglou:

On April 27, power cuts began in Greece, approximately 1,000 per day. They affect households and businesses that are unable to pay their bills, which have often increased by 500% – 1000% compared to last year. The media reports cases of consumers who used to pay, for example, €120 and are now being asked to pay €1,480 or more. The provider companies are not monitored by the weakened competent authorities. They adjust their bills arbitrarily without consulting consumers and use opaque and misleading commercial practices, often based on the «small print», contrary to European legislation.

The government has not transposed EU Directive 2019/944 on consumer protection, as it should have done by 2020, which stipulates that Member States must ensure that electricity supply remains affordable for their citizens and protects vulnerable populations. According to a survey by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one in four consumers cannot pay their bills when the minimum wage is €713. Vulnerable groups are not exempt from power cuts. It is estimated that over the next three months, 100,000 households will be left without electricity. The Commission is asked: How will it address the impending humanitarian crisis in Greece? How will it protect consumers and implement Directive 2019/944?;

George Stamkos