Kalliopi Vetta: “To fully shield district heating in Western Macedonia, while energy communities and small producers must receive the necessary support to ensure energy democracy”

– Implementation of Mrs. Vetta’s request for the extension of operational support for small projects in the lignite areas – Parliamentary speech”

SYRIZA Member of Parliament P.S. P.E. Kozanis Mr. Kalliopi Vetta spoke yesterday in the Parliament during the discussion of the bill of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

It is a bill which, on the occasion of the disasters in Thessaly and the non-existent support of the citizens of the regionpaves the way for water privatization, a development that foreshadows similar assignments in other regions of the country. For this reason, on the part of SYRIZA P.S. a request to withdraw the bill, as well as requests for unconstitutionality and roll call voting, all of which were rejected by the governing majority.

Mrs. Vetta after referring to the failures of the “staff state” in Thessaly, where the citizens have not yet received the compensations, he dealt extensively with the issues of district heating, energy communities and small producers.

For district heating, he repeated that must be fully shielded, so that with the successor scheme, uninterrupted operation and affordable costs for citizens and businesses can be ensured. He then listed the main proposals that must be implemented to ensure district heating, mentioning, among others, the extension of the operating aid (΄΄tariff΄΄) from 10 to 15 years, the change in the way the aid is calculated, the lengthening the heating season and reducing the cost of purchasing carbon dioxide rights.

These, as he pointed out, are necessary changes, so that the system does not collapse, and municipal enterprises and citizens are over-indebted.

For energy communities and small producers, he said that from 2021 they are systematically sidelined from the electric field to the benefit of the big conglomerates (acting as feudal lords, as he pointed out), while the government’s argument for consumer protection breaks down, as the small benefits of reducing the marginal price are distributed, either to wholesale producers or to retail suppliers, without ever reaching the citizens.

Finally, it is worth noting that following Ms. Vetta’s request, there was a modification of the provisions and an extension for the exempted projects in the lignite areas.

However, as the Member of Parliament pointed out, the basic condition is to provide space for connection to the electrical system, because extensions and announcements for assistance without, after all, connection, are a free gift.

In closing, after repeating the need to support the P.E. Kozanis, pointed out: “I am afraid that it is now too late, and that the cause of energy democracy has now faded, however, it is your duty and responsibility, for reasons of equality and legal certainty, to implement these measures of support and care for our region. »