“In politics, the worst thing you can do is to be incoherent, and this is the problem of SYRIZA today: It is turning from toxic to incoherent,” the Minister of Environment and Energy told SKAI 100.3. Theodoros Skylakakis

“The course of the country is positive. Citizens cannot yet experience it, however, because the problem of punctuality, even at a time when wages are increasing, is pressing for households,” added Mr. Skylakakis.

The minister stated that “from January 1, 2024, the period of mass subsidies stops that could be done based on European guidelines, however, the strengthening of subsidies in the social tariff continues, as well as the strengthening of energy-vulnerable citizens”.
He explained that energy-vulnerable citizens are those who use electricity and not other means for heating. “This category includes 1.2 million citizens, without the socially vulnerable,” he said.

Regarding power theft he pointed out that the largest percentage is recorded by businesses and corresponds to a charge of 400 million euros a year on everyone’s accounts. He added that the problem should be dealt with by stricter penalties, temporary or permanent closure of businesses doing this work, delicensing of the electricians involved as well as fines.

Regarding the digital meter, Mr. Skylakakis said that “it will come in the first 4 months to 6 months of 2024 and it will allow us to buy and use more “intelligent” energy. It will deal with much of the rheumatism phenomenon and at the same time push prices down.”

“Through the digital meter it will be easier to identify where the electricity thefts are taking place compared to the analog meter,” the minister said while underlining the importance of the green tariff. Regarding the specific tariff, he emphasized that it is “a uniform tariff for all suppliers in which the prices will be comparable”.

Asked about the delays in the payment of the stores that participated in the “Recycle – Change Device” program, Mr. Skylakakis said that the program is now closing and the payments will be completed.