In a head-on clash with the Mitsotakis government and the government moved forward with its decisions regarding the energy crisis and the high costs that have brought citizens to their knees Energy Regulatory Authority.
The chairman of the independent authority chose to hold a press conference in which he lambasted the government for the adjustment clause, the excess profits of energy companies, the distortion of competition, the Retroactive subsidies to the Public Power Corporation (PPC) but also in reduction of RAE's authority.
Ο Thanasis Dagoumas criticized vehemently amendment to the adjustment clause, which the government presented as a panacea for reducing electricity bills, noting that the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) had proposed a clearer framework for the adjustment clause, which was rejected by the government.
As he aptly put it, the system will be judged in practice, but, RAE will conduct ex post audits if suppliers' charges reflect the actual cost of energy. Referring to electricity bills, he clarified that There is no way we will return to pre-crisis electricity rates.
The RAE chairman also criticized the government for the excess profits of energy companies, noting that Although the authority has submitted its findings, the government is still dragging its feet, and it remains unclear whether the discounts offered by energy providers will ultimately be taken into account.
With regard to competition, the president of RAE noted that, in cooperation with the Competition Commission, work is currently underway research to determine whether there are any standardized practices of this type cartel and the energy companies have been asked to provide their billing data.
Thanasis Dagoumas also revealed that they have been given retroactive subsidies to the Public Power Corporation (PPC), dating back as far as 2004 for the maintenance of thermal reserve units that generate electricity by burning fuel oil. If the subsidy is applied retroactively starting in 2004, the amount is expected to reach 300 million euros.
The president of RAE also accused the government of curtailing the independent authority’s powers, as well as of repeal of its decisions by law, a topic on which It will also inform the European Commission.
His response was immediate Alexis Haritsis, his member of Congress SYRIZA and the head of the Development Division, who noted in a Twitter post that: «Following the president of the Competition Commission and the Consumer Ombudsman, yesterday it was the turn of the president of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE).”. The heads of the relevant authorities appointed by New Democracy are now openly expressing their disagreements with government policy. This is clearly a case of “Mitsotakis’s precision.”».
Following the chairman of the Competition Commission and the Consumer Ombudsman, yesterday it was the turn of the chairman of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE). Those appointed by #ND The heads of the relevant authorities are now openly expressing their disagreements with government policy. This is clearly a case of 1TP5Mitsotakis_Accuracy
— Alexis Charitsis (@alexischaritsis) June 28, 2022
