The Deputy Minister of Energy promised "lower electricity tariffs thanks to smart meters"

Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Alexandra Sduku said on Wednesday that smart electricity meters should also be allowed in Greek households so that consumers benefit from excess electricity and lower prices.

Speaking at a conference on eco-mobility in Athens, Sdukou noted that energy suppliers in Europe offer electricity tariffs that are three times cheaper during hours when there is a surplus of energy (for example, at midday in the summer when photovoltaic production is at its peak), and this should also happen in Greece by increasing the use of smart electricity meters.

Consumers were confused at the end of 2023 when they were informed of new electricity tariff plans from 1/1/2024 based on a colour-coded billing system.

• A wavering green plan that automatically applies to those who do not choose the alternative.
• Blue” plan with a fixed tariff.
• Yellow” – variable plan with payments at the end of the month.
• “orange” depends on the presence of a smart meter [в основном, для предприятий].

While meters are still rolling out new rate plans, most consumers seem undecided on which color scheme to choose. Electricity bills with the new color tariff have not yet been issued on January 25, 2024, the date of writing.

Sducu noted that the legislative framework has already been created and is one of the most important conditions for ensuring that the growing use of electric vehicles is accompanied by optimal use of the distribution network.

“Charging of electric vehicles should happen when prices are low and stop when demand is high. This can be achieved through digitization of the grid, smart meters and introducing dynamic tariffs in electricity bills so that consumers have an incentive to adapt charging hours, which is happening in other European countries, e.g. , in Denmark and the UK,” she said.

Sduku stressed that the national energy plan calls for 500,000 electric vehicles to be on Greek roads by 2030. She also reported that, in addition to road transport, it is planned to build the first electric ferry on the Galatas-Poros line in the context of including Poros Island in the GR-eco islands initiative.

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