Bonuses for those who save electricity

Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and Deputy Finance Minister Theodoros Skilakakis announced incentives for households and public sector organizations that will save energy, especially through the use of air conditioners.

The plan “Regulate the thermostat” (“Επιχείρηση θερμοστάτης”) provides bonuses for households that will reduce energy consumption by following the recommendations for using air conditioners at the optimum mode in summer + 26-27 ° С. The plan includes financial incentives and restrictions for public services, providing for bonuses for those who reach goals and penalties for those who don’t.

At the same time, a “limiter” is placed on the air conditioners, since it is recommended to operate them at a certain temperature. In addition, employees must turn them off for 10 minutes every 3 hours and open windows for ventilation. And also be sure to turn it off when the working day is over. It is also recommended to limit the consumption of electricity in street lighting, which could lead to savings of 18-20 million euros.

Each public building will have an assigned energy controller who will be appointed and approved on a dedicated platform to be opened later.

According to Mr. Skrekas, the government continues to systematize energy saving efforts in three areas:

• Creates a digital energy management system.
• Promotes immediate measures to reduce consumption by 10% and 30% by 2030.
• Introduces incentives for state-owned enterprises and offices to achieve energy saving goals.

The minister noted that longer-term actions have been launched, such as the €640 million Electra program for energy retrofits in buildings, aiming to achieve 30% energy savings in 2.5 million square meters of public buildings.

Mr. Skilakakis emphasized that when the price of a commodity rises, we must save money, writes skai.gr.

Government spending on energy has reached 800 million euros in 2021 net of taxes and fees, making support for households a priority. The measures proposed by the authorities should have already been taken, if only for environmental reasons.

Secretary General for Energy Alexandra Sduku said that out of 212,000 hours of electricity consumption in the public sector in 2020, 596 million euros were paid for at a consumption of 4,350 gigawatt hours, while in 2021 consumption was 5,356 megawatt hours at a cost of 956 million euros.

In particular, in 2022, consumption will remain at the same level, which is just over 10% of total consumption, but the cost will be 1.165 billion euros, which is 66% more than in 2020.

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