Power rates are going up by about 9 percent for most consumers, applying retroactively from January 1, as the Energy Ministry has decided on the first installment of rate hikes that Public Power Corporation (PPC) has asked for and the country’s creditors have insisted on.
The Ministry announced on Sunday that the average total increase amounts to 8.6 to 9.2 percent for most households, while for commercial, agricultural and industrial consumers the increase amounts to 10-15 percent.
That means that for most households the power bill will go up by about four to five euros per month.
The January increase on electricity rates amounts to 3 percent, but the burden on power bills will be around 9 percent due to the increase in charges for pollutants, that are now passed on from electricity producers to consumers, and to the rise in the levy for renewable energy sources’ development.
At the same time the government is expanding the application of the so-called social rates, meant to offer a discount to special groups in society. The social rate will now secure more consumers a 42 percent discount on regular prices.
Further rate hikes are expected on May 1 and on July 1. July will also see the full liberalization of the electricity industry.
