Energy Market Liberalisation in Greece: Structures, Policy and Prospects

Abstract

The ongoing regulatory transformation towards a single European electricity market started several years ago. The rationale of this transformation is that the liberalisation of monopolistic energy structures should lead to the building of sustainable and flexible energy ecosystems, through an energy policy that sets goals in line with the requirements of our epoch, such as sustainable development, energy security, and the promotion of renewable energy sources. In this context, the liberalisation of the electricity market in Greece is explored, which is a complicated case in terms of development as it has only recently begun to exit from a long-term socio-economic crisis and strict adjustment programs. The concepts of energy market liberalisation, energy ecosystems, and energy policy are presented and compared to the main directions of the EU institutional environment and the evolution of the political and institutional framework of Greece. In Greece, an attempt has been made in recent years to liberalise the electricity market, which is hindered for a long time by socio-economic forces favoured by the monopolistic system of the market. This liberalisation process is also an opportunity for the country to move towards enhancing the structures that can lead to faster and more sustainable development and to maintain the pace of "coupling" with the most developed energy economies of Europe.

Industry 4.0 Driven Result-oriented PSS: An Assessment in the Energy Management

“…It can be said that Evogy keeps internally the pillars allowing to directly manage this interaction with loyal external and shared companies. This ecosystem fosters the exchange of knowledge, experience, skills and assets among the different stakeholders involved (Vlados et al, 2021). This form of ecosystem can direct towards the sustainable hand model where it is evident how new social models are required (D'adamo et al, 2022).…”

Legal Provisions and Market Conditions for Energy Communities in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey: A Comparative Assessment

“…All the market activities were strictly regulated, preventing people from generating their own electricity for self-consumption. The liberalization of the Greek energy market followed the same path as that of the EU [90].…”

The state of municipal energy transitions: Multi-scalar constraints and enablers of Europe’s post-carbon energy ambitions

“…The terms of the Greek economic adjustment programme with the EU, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB in 2010 insisted on privatisation and increasing competition within the energy sector, although interviews in 2018 highlighted the continued dominance of majority state-controlled energy bodies. While legislation has been passed to introduce energy markets and competition within the Greek energy system, it is still characterised by ‘a high degree of concentration in terms of supply and significant barriers to the access and operation of private enterprises’ (Vlados et al, 2021: 122). Aims to transition towards primarily renewables in electricity by 2030 and move away from highly polluting lignite are slowed by the legislative path to reducing the predominance of the lignite-dependent state-owned energy company.…”