Energy Ministry

The tender process for the concession of four lignite-fired electricity plants belonging to Public Power Corporation began on Friday. It will be fast-tracked as determined by an amendment tabled in Parliament as part of another Energy Ministry bill approved on Thursday.

The tender process for the concession of four lignite-fired electricity plants belonging to Public Power Corporation begins today. It will be fast-tracked as determined by an amendment tabled in Parliament as part of another Energy Ministry bill approved on Thursday.

There was a distinct whiff of pre-electioneering to the Energy Ministry's bill for the staffing of energy entities. The draft law paves the way for more than 500 hirings on contracts of indefinite duration, more than half of which will be processed without involving the civil servant hiring council (ASEP).

The European Commission is considering an increase in the quantities of energy sold at auction and the review of other structural measures, probably the sale of hydroelectric plants, regardless of the progress in Public Power Corporation's divestment from lignite, in order for reforms in the electricity market to proceed.

The Energy Ministry will table a bill in Parliament on Thursday aimed at closing all the crucial energy issues that remain open ahead of the Euro Working Group of this Friday.

The government will offer permanent jobs to 200 workers contracted to the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) ahead of the utility's breakup and sale.

To sidestep the rule that only the civil servant hirings council (ASEP) can select DEPA staff, the Energy Ministry will make 200 staff from DEPA subsidiaries permanent.

The Energy Ministry has launched a last-ditch effort this week to present the European Commission with an alternative scenario to avert the threat of Public Power Corporation having to part with some of its hydroelectric plants.

The European Commission has allowed Greece's Public Power Corporation (PPC) to postpone to late January a deadline for binding bids for three coal-fired plants, an Energy Ministry source said on Tuesday.

A malfunction on board the British flagged Stena Ice Max drillship has reportedly caused a delay of 10 days.

The unspecified problem occurred during Christmas time and had led to a temporary suspension of drilling operations. According to Kathimerini the problem has been rectified and an Energy Ministry announcement is expected next week.

Bulgartransgaz on 21st of December launched a public procurement procedure for the construction of the Bulgarian section of Turkish Stream. Earlier today, the Energy Regulator gave permission for the state-owned company to start pre-selling the pipeline capacity, the funds from which will be used to finance the project, reports BNT.