Former prime minister Antonis Samaras has put forward six proposals to reduce energy costs, while also criticising the Mitsotakis government over its energy policy.

“Mitsotakis’ neoliberal government has neither a vision nor a strategy. Opportunities have been lost, a few have benefited, and mistakes have been made at the expense of the many,” he said.

The former prime minister proposes reopening the Ptolemaida 5 lignite-fired power station, completing the Mesochora and Sykia hydroelectric projects, recovering energy from waste, developing energy storage systems, introducing more long-term electricity contracts and subsidising natural gas heating.

He is also calling for a permanent reduction in energy costs in Greece’s regions, with particular emphasis on agriculture, livestock farming and fishing.

Antonis Samaras’ statement

The full statement by Antonis Samaras follows:

Energy policy is the key to our country.

It affects both production costs and consumers. And if a country produces the energy it needs, it is self-sufficient. It does not depend on anyone else and strengthens its own defences. This is particularly important in the difficult global circumstances we face today.

But what has actually been happening in recent years? Let us tell the truth and examine the mistakes.

• We built modern power plants between 2012 and 2014, such as Ptolemaida 5, and now we are rendering them useless or even demolishing them!
• We invested in Renewable Energy Sources, but… forgot to invest in storage batteries, with the result that we produce electricity that goes to waste.
• We established an Energy Exchange that is not functioning properly.
• And we constantly resort to expensive imported natural gas instead of domestic sources. As a result, electricity prices are rising, as is our dependence on foreign countries.

Mitsotakis’ neoliberal government has neither a vision nor a strategy. Opportunities have been lost, a few have benefited, and mistakes have been made at the expense of the many.

So, what needs to be done? We must radically change the energy mix so that energy becomes cheaper for everyone. How? Today, I am putting forward clear proposals to achieve this.

• First, the modern lignite-fired power station at Ptolemaida 5, inaugurated in 2014 and effectively never put to use, must be brought back into operation. The government is now planning to replace it with a plant powered by imported natural gas. Why? Germany continues to use lignite-fired power stations. Why should we not make use of our own domestic production?
• Second, we must complete and bring into operation the Mesochora and Sykia hydroelectric projects. Three major energy projects, paid for by the Greek people, remain unfinished, while we burn imported gas!
• Third, we must recover energy from waste, as many European countries do. We bury it and pay for it. Instead of being a liability, it can become an asset through modern facilities and partnerships with private companies. I also propose that the revenue should go directly to local government.
• Fourth, we must invest immediately in batteries so that we can make better use of Renewable Energy Sources. We should also promote solar panels with storage systems in homes, as well as energy producer groups in regional areas.
• Fifth, we must change the rules governing the operation of the market by introducing more long-term electricity contracts.
• Sixth, heating should also be subsidised when households use natural gas, not just heating oil, as is currently the case. Pay attention: I am talking about a subsidy, not a benefit payment…

It is a national necessity to reduce energy costs permanently, not temporarily, in Greece’s regions – particularly for agriculture, livestock farming and fishing.

We must all understand this: Greece’s countryside needs support now more than ever!

The measures I am proposing will increase domestic energy supply, reduce demand on the grid, lessen dependence on imported fuels and bring down costs for households and businesses.

Look at what is happening today: over the past year, the price of electricity for Greek consumers has risen three and a half times as much as it has in the rest of Europe! And the price of natural gas has risen four times as much as it has in the rest of the eurozone!

We therefore need a different approach, one with a social dimension.

So that we can have cheaper energy and, in turn, genuine growth for everyone and a lower cost of living for households.