Energy Ministry

The government on Thursday forced the departure of the chief executive officer of the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), Dimitris Tzortzis.

Greek grid operator ADMIE on Friday launched two tenders to build two undersea cables linking the island of Crete to mainland Attica, the Energy Ministry said.

The 915 million-euro project will be completed within 2022, the ministry said.

Concerns from Crete's Deputy Regional Governor Nikos Kalogeris of blackouts this summer put a damper on Thursday's ceremony by the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) and the European Investment Bank at the Energy Ministry for the signing of the so-called "small interconnection" linking Crete with the Peloponnese, which is different to the planned Crete-Attica linkup.

Greece's Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) has sent a letter to Public Power Corporation warning of blackouts on the island of Crete ahead of the summer tourism season unless measures are taken at once to tackle a host of serious problems.

The tender process for the concession of four lignite-fired electricity plants belonging to Public Power Corporation began on Friday. It will be fast-tracked as determined by an amendment tabled in Parliament as part of another Energy Ministry bill approved on Thursday.

The tender process for the concession of four lignite-fired electricity plants belonging to Public Power Corporation begins today. It will be fast-tracked as determined by an amendment tabled in Parliament as part of another Energy Ministry bill approved on Thursday.

There was a distinct whiff of pre-electioneering to the Energy Ministry's bill for the staffing of energy entities. The draft law paves the way for more than 500 hirings on contracts of indefinite duration, more than half of which will be processed without involving the civil servant hiring council (ASEP).

The European Commission is considering an increase in the quantities of energy sold at auction and the review of other structural measures, probably the sale of hydroelectric plants, regardless of the progress in Public Power Corporation's divestment from lignite, in order for reforms in the electricity market to proceed.

The Energy Ministry will table a bill in Parliament on Thursday aimed at closing all the crucial energy issues that remain open ahead of the Euro Working Group of this Friday.

The government will offer permanent jobs to 200 workers contracted to the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) ahead of the utility's breakup and sale.

To sidestep the rule that only the civil servant hirings council (ASEP) can select DEPA staff, the Energy Ministry will make 200 staff from DEPA subsidiaries permanent.