During an interview with public broadcaster ERT Minister of State Akis Skertsos said that “The state is going to act as a good example when it comes to energy conservation”.
Skertsos added that the relevant announcements will be made on Wednesday (Greece time).
“With small, smart moves, the national goal of saving energy by 10-15 per cent is achievable,” he stressed, saying that “energy conservation, regardless of the crisis, is something that should become part of our culture anyway. It is good for the environment, for our pockets and it enhances consumer awareness”.
Visiting Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and Greek leaders agreed to tighten their countries’ cooperation in light of the current crises, in particular the energy crunch.
“Crises should be addressed through the close cooperation of countries that share the same values,” Caputova said during a meeting with her Greek counterpart Katerina Sakellaropoulou, according to the Greek national broadcaster ERT.
“We can effectively respond to such crises only by working together closely and demonstrating solidarity,” Sakellaropoulou said.
In her opinion, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine fuelled the energy, food and cost-of-living crisis, a statement from her office explained.
“(We have) the obligation to address at the European level the rising cost of energy,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed.
Ahead of the upcoming meeting of the European Union member states’ energy ministers on 9 September in Brussels, Mitsotakis said that they should reach bold decisions to support households and businesses.
In the meantime, Greece will keep seven coal-fired plants running for longer than previously planned as European countries adjust to a cut in gas flows coming from Russia, the chief executive of the Greek gas grid operator DESFA said on Monday.
“In the short term some European countries will have a delay in their decarbonisation (plan), but this could also be an opportunity … allowing to avoid an intermediate phase towards hydrogen,” DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli said, speaking at the Gastech conference in Milan.
Galli also told Reuters that a previous plan to phase out the seven coal-fired power plans in Greece would be delayed amid the energy crisis engulfing Europe and soaring gas prices.
“I think Athens and Rome are close to a deal on gas storage,” Galli explained.
