The relevant energy and environment minister on Wednesday promised unionists from the state-run power company that the leftist-rightist coalition government will not sell-off hydro-electric plants or client “blocs” to independent electricity providers.
Minister Giorgos Stathakis reportedly made the pledge to the leadership of GENOP, the powerful union representing employees of the Public Power Corp. (PPC), the still dominant power utility in the country.
His comments come in light of the pending sale of up to four lignite-fired plants in northern Greece, which are owned and operated by PPC.
Reducing the majority state-owned utility’s market share to reflect its production capacity is a standing demand by the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition and now a memorandum-mandated obligation (prior action) as well.
Stathakis said talks with the EU body will continue over the next two weeks.
As expected, two spokesmen for the union expressed their categorical opposition to the sale of lignite-fired units.
