Policy measures for energy poverty

General context of policy measures

According to the National Action Plan, the confrontation of energy poverty issue will be achieved through the design and implementation of targeted policy measures in the period 2021-2030. The specificity of the planned policy measures is based on three different dimensions.

1.

Consumer protection

2.

Development perspective - Actions to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of RES

3.

Information and training activities

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Basic dimensions

Dimension I: The first dimension aims at protecting affected consumers from the phenomenon of energy poverty. More specifically, three policy measures will be implemented, which combine both the support of affected households in extreme and emergency conditions of energy poverty, and their protection through regulatory measures.

Dimension II: The second dimension aims at addressing the phenomenon of energy poverty in the long term through the implementation of financial programs for the coordinated improvement of energy efficiency and the promotion of the use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in residential buildings of affected households. Four different policy measures will be implemented fully aligned with the basic design principles described in the NECP, both for the case of financial programs and for specific market mechanisms, as indicatively are the Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes.

Dimension III: Finally, the third dimension concerns the implementation of information and education actions in households, which will be carried out through the Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes in the period 2021-2030, as well as through centrally planned information and awareness actions for affected consumers and professionals of energy saving actions.  

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Planned measures


Dimension I:Consumer Protection
M1. Improvement of the Social Invoicing scheme
M2. Distribution of "energy card" to affected households
M3. Package of regulatory measures to protect affected households

Dimension II: Development perspective: Actions to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of RES
M4. Energy upgrade of residential buildings of the affected households and promotion of the installation of RES plants to cover their energy needs
M5. Providing incentives to existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Just Transition Areas
M6. Providing incentives to existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes
M7. Utilization of energy communities to address energy poverty 

Dimension III: Information and education actions
M8. Information and training of affected households in the framework of the Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes
M9. Conducting targeted information and training actions

  • M1. Improvement of Social Invoicing scheme
    Τίτλος μέτρου πολιτικής Μ1. Βελτίωση σχήματος Κοινωνικού Τιμολογίου
    Dimension-Type I - Economic measure
    Purpose Provision of a preferential tariff for the supply of electricity in order to protect affected households from extreme and extraordinary conditions of energy poverty.
    Description Policy measure M1 aims to maintain and improve the social tariff scheme for the supply of electricity to households affected by energy poverty. In the context of this specific policy measure, the adoption of a preferential electricity sales price is foreseen for the case of affected households, which experience extreme conditions of energy poverty. The preferential pricing will concern the amount of electricity until the minimum thermal comfort conditions are met, including the electricity consumption of the other uses of the affected households, which are included in the specific policy measure. In any case, the design of the specific policy measure is proposed in compliance with the conditions, which are set in Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 5 of Directive 2019/944/EE regarding public interventions in the determination of prices for the supply of electricity.
    Implementation Timeline Application in specific years within the period 2021-2030 depending on the formed extreme and extraordinary conditions.
    Public Expenditure Budget The cost of the public expenditure is expected to reach at least €40 million for each year of its implementation.
    Expected results 100 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M1.
    Partners involved YPEN, RAE, electricity supply companies

  • M2. Distribution of "energy card" to affected households
    Title of policy measure M2. Distribution of "energy card" to affected households
    Dimension-Type I - Economic measure
    Purpose Provision of specific quantities of energy products at a preferential price for consumption by affected households through the provision of an "energy card".
    Description Policy measure M2 aims to provide specific quantities of energy products at a preferential price through an "energy card", which will be allocated to cover the minimum thermal comfort conditions of households affected by the phenomenon of energy poverty. The provided "energy card" will enable the consumption of a certain amount of energy products by the affected households, while it will not be possible to replace them with the equivalent amount of their purchase or their eventual substitution with another energy product. The specific policy measure can cover all the energy products, which are proven to be used to cover the thermal needs of the affected households, while in the case of the supply of electricity in the specific policy measure, the affected households will not have the possibility of inclusion, which will be included in the context of the M1 policy measure. Policy measure M2 can be activated in cases of extraordinary circumstances to deal with the effects of the energy poverty phenomenon. Indicative such cases may be periods of prolonged economic recession, periods of particularly low temperatures and severe weather phenomena, which may vary by climate zone.
    Implementation Timeline Application in specific years within the period 2021-2030 depending on the formed extreme and extraordinary conditions.
    Public Expenditure Budget The cost of the public expenditure is expected to reach €40 million for each year of its implementation. Synergies with broader social policy measures of the country in the context of combating poverty in general will be sought in order to make better use of available public resources.
    Expected results 100 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M2.
    Partners involved HYPEN, HYPEKAA, RAE, energy product supply companies to meet space heating needs.
  • M3. Package of regulatory measures to protect affected households
    Title of measure policy M3. Package of regulatory measures to protect affected households
    Dimension-Type I - Regulatory measure
    Purpose Protection of affected households through the establishment and implementation of appropriate regulatory and regulatory measures.
    Description Policy measure M3 provides for the continuation of the targeted regulatory and regulatory measures, which are already in force, as well as their possible reinforcement in order to more effectively protect affected households from the phenomenon of energy poverty. Initially, the affected households, which experience extreme conditions of energy poverty, will be able to participate in this specific policy measure. However, depending on the evolution of the energy poverty phenomenon, the definition of a lower deviation limit will be investigated in order to protect a larger number of affected households. Key regulatory and regulatory measures will include: I. Provision for automatic transfer of vulnerable residential customers to the Universal Service scheme in the event of late payment of energy bills provided they meet the criteria for determining affected households. II. Determining a threshold of minimum consumption of energy products on an annual basis below which the disconnection of the affected households is prohibited. III. Facilitating repayment and adopting a more flexible and favorable settlement framework for overdue debts of affected households in specific cases (e.g. possibility of partial and interest-free repayment based on a percentage of the monthly expenditure of affected households). Indicative such cases may be periods of prolonged economic recession, periods of particularly low temperatures and severe weather phenomena which will vary by climate zone in the Greek territory, etc. IV. Restriction of consumption of energy products with delays in the repayment of energy bills through smart meters. Emphasis will be placed on the adoption of initiatives for the rapid promotion of smart meters leading to the implementation of the prescribed regulatory measures and enabling the control and management of consumption by the consumer himself. Due to the low penetration rate of smart meters the installation of pre-paid smart meters in affected households will be explored for the implementation of policy measure M2. The installation of smart meters can be promoted more strongly in conjunction with the implementation of policy measure M6 and the more active participation of electricity and natural gas supply providers, ensuring that the participation of providers will not conflict with the regulatory provisions regarding the competence of Distribution Network Operators in the installation of smart meters. The provisions for the above measures will be incorporated into the Electricity and Natural Gas Supply Codes under the supervision of RAE. In addition, RAE will have the responsibility of continuously evaluating and carrying out systematic checks of the regulatory and regulatory framework that will be established.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030
    Public Expenditure Budget The public expenditure budget amounts to €30 million.
    Expected results 150 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M3.
    Partners involved HYPEN and RAE

  • M4. Energy upgrading of residential buildings of the affected households and promoting the installation of RES plants to cover their energy needs
    Measure title M4. Energy upgrading of residential buildings of the affected households and promoting the installation of RES plants to cover their energy needs
    Dimension-Type II - Economic measure
    Purpose Installation of energy saving systems and technologies and RES systems in buildings of households affected by energy poverty.
    Description Policy measure M4 aims to address the phenomenon of energy poverty in the long term by improving the energy efficiency of the residential buildings of households affected by this phenomenon and installing RES systems to cover their total energy needs in the lowest and most efficient way. The maximum subsidy rate will be determined taking into account the actual ability of the affected households to contribute the required equity for their participation in the particular policy measure. Additionally, the subsidy rate will vary based on the different types of interventions eligible under each program. The implementation of policy measure M4 can be combined in addition to the renovation programs of the building stock, which will be implemented in the period 2021-2030 for the case of residential buildings. In addition, the management and implementation of the specific interventions will be considered to be carried out in collaboration with the local authorities involved, in order to facilitate the identification of the affected households. The main pillars of the specific policy measure will include the strengthening of the following energy saving and RES interventions: I. Radical renovation of residential buildings of the affected households. II. Installation of efficient heating and cooling systems in terms of final energy consumption. III. Installation of RES systems for the production of electricity in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Directive 2018/2001/EU for self-consumers of energy from renewable sources, as well as of Article 15 of Directive 2019/944/EU for active customers. Additionally, the participation of affected households in Demand Response and Management schemes will be explored, as well as the installation of storage systems with the aim of maximizing self-consumption through the simultaneous production of electricity from RES. Excess electricity, which is produced and not self-consumed, can be sold by Cumulative Representation Agencies giving an additional benefit to the affected households. Finally, emphasis will be placed on addressing energy poverty in rental housing by ensuring a fair distribution of incentives, as well as the resulting benefit between owners and tenants, so that ultimately investments to improve energy efficiency in the residential buildings occupied by the affected households are not prevented.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030 adopting a linear rate of implementation of the interventions on an annual basis.
    Public Expenditure Budget €1.8 billion
    Expected results 120 thousand affected households are expected to upgrade their homes within the framework of policy measure M4.
    Partners involved Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NSRF Administrative Authorities for the period 2021-2027

  • M5. Providing incentives to existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Just Transition Areas
    Measure title M5. Incentivizing existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Just Transition Areas
    Dimension-Type II - Economic measure
    Purpose Installation of energy saving systems and technologies and RES systems in buildings of affected households for the most efficient and economical coverage of their minimum energy needs in the areas affected by the Just Transition and de-lignification of the electricity generation sector.
    Description Policy measure M5 aims to address the phenomenon of energy poverty in the long term by improving the energy efficiency of the buildings of affected households and installing RES systems to cover their total energy needs in the lowest and most efficient way. The maximum subsidy rate will be determined taking into account the actual ability of affected households to contribute the required equity for their participation. The subsidy rate will vary based on the different types of interventions that will be eligible. In addition, the assignment of the management and implementation of the specific programs to the involved OTAs will be considered, in order to facilitate the identification of the affected households. The main pillars of the specific policy measure will include the strengthening of the following energy saving and RES interventions: I. Radical renovation of residential buildings of the affected households. II. Installation of efficient heating and cooling systems in terms of final energy consumption. III. Installation of RES systems for the production of electricity in accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Directive 2018/2001/EU for self-consumers of energy from renewable sources, as well as of Article 15 of Directive 2019/944/EU for active customers. Additionally, the participation of affected households in Demand Response and Management schemes will be explored, as well as the installation of storage systems with the aim of maximizing self-consumption through the simultaneous production of electricity from RES.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030 adopting a linear rate of implementation of interventions on an annual basis.
    Public Expenditure Budget €210 million
    Expected Results 10,000 affected households are expected to upgrade their homes under policy measure M5.
    Partners involved Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Just Transition Fund

  • M6. Providing incentives to existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regimes
    Title of policy measure M6. Providing incentives to existing mechanisms for actions in affected households - Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regimes
    Dimension-Type II - Economic measure
    Purpose Providing incentives to the Obliged Parties within the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regimes for the implementation of interventions in affected households with the aim of cost-effectively addressing energy poverty.
    Description Policy measure M6 aims to strengthen actions in households affected by the phenomenon of energy poverty by the Obliged Parties within the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcing Regimes of the period 2021-2030. The promotion of interventions in affected households can be implemented through the following alternatives: I. The increase of the energy saving units by a factor of 1.4 in the case of technical measures in affected households for the more effective fulfillment of the energy saving target by the Obliged Parties. II. The financial support of the Obliged Parties for the installation of efficient heating and cooling systems in affected households through a special program due to the significant contribution of the Obliged Parties in the implementation of the actions. In the case of alternative I, the Obliged Parties will undertake the implementation of low-cost technical measures in affected households, such as the installation of smart meters and the installation of efficient lamps. Finally, the increase in energy saving units may also apply in the case of the design and implementation of targeted Demand Response and Management programs adapted to the needs of the affected households in order to provide financial incentives provided that final energy savings are achieved. The specific programs can be implemented with the completion of the regulatory framework and the development of the required infrastructure. It is pointed out that equal access to all Obliged Parties will be ensured in the process of identifying households, which are affected by the phenomenon of energy poverty.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030
    Public Expenditure Budget €70 million
    Expected Results 100 thousand affected households are expected to benefit from the implementation of policy measure M6.
    Partners involved MINISTRY OF FINANCE, FINANCE, Obliged Parties within the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regulations for the period 2021-2030.

  • M7. Utilization of the institution of energy communities to address energy poverty
    Title of policy measure M7. Utilization of the institution of energy communities to address energy poverty
    Dimension-Type II - Economic and regulatory measure
    Purpose Review the institutional framework and provide incentives to address energy poverty through the mechanism of energy communities.
    Description Policy measure M7 aims to revise the existing operating framework of the energy communities in accordance with the provisions of Directives 2019/944 and 2018/2001 in order to maximize the social benefit by addressing the phenomenon of energy poverty. In addition, the actions, including financial incentives, aim for the energy produced (electrical, thermal and cooling) from RES to be used both by civil communities and by renewable energy communities to cover the energy needs of households, which are affected by the phenomenon of energy poverty. In this direction, the activation of central schemes and mechanisms for the installation of RES stations will be investigated in order to cover the energy needs of households affected by energy poverty. In particular, the financing of OTAs, through a special energy community scheme, is planned for the implementation of RES projects with the aim of distributing the produced electricity to households in their area, which are affected by energy poverty, drastically reducing their energy costs. It should be pointed out that the financial support envisaged in the context of the specific measure can be combined with actions to improve energy efficiency, in order to contribute to the more radical treatment of the phenomenon of energy poverty. Additionally, the institutionalization of regulatory incentives will be explored to further strengthen civil communities, as well as renewable energy communities, while emphasis will be placed both on the utilization of the provisions of Article 21 of Directive 2018/2001/EU for self-consumers of energy from renewable sources and of Article 15 of Directive 2019/944/EU for active customers, as well as on facilitating access them in bank lending with favorable financing terms. Finally, the institution of energy communities can be utilized for the more effective planning and implementation of targeted and innovative information and education actions at the local level, making it imperative to maximize synergies with policy measure M9.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030
    Public Expenditure Budget €100 million
    Expected results 90 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M7.
    Partners involved Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil and renewable energy communities

  • M8. Information and training of affected households in the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regulations
    Title of policy measure M8. Information and training of affected households in the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regimes
    Dimension-Type III - Information and education actions
    Purpose Carrying out targeted information and training activities in order to provide specialized technical advice from the Obliged Parties to the affected households in the context of the Enforcement Regimes of the period 2021-2030.
    Description In the framework of the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcing Regimes, the designated Obligated Parties will undertake targeted information and training activities to provide specialized technical advice in order to effectively combat energy poverty, which can be achieved through more rational energy management. The implementation of targeted actions to inform and raise awareness of the affected households will be governed by the limitations and more general specifications, as defined in the context of the specific scheme in the period 2021-2030 through the relevant operating regulations. In any case, preference will be given to the implementation of personalized actions based on the particular characteristics of the affected households, emphasizing advice for more efficient management of the consumed energy. Indicatively, it is recommended to carry out diagnostic energy audits to understand all aspects related to the phenomenon of energy poverty and to determine the most cost-effective results of interventions to improve energy efficiency to deal with the phenomenon of energy poverty. The implementation of the specific actions will be strengthened in order to more effectively fulfill the energy saving goal by the Obliged Parties through the increase of the energy saving units that will be verified using a coefficient of 1.1.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030
    Public Expenditure Budget The use of public expenditure is not foreseen.
    Expected results 350 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M8.
    Partners involved Obliged Parties under the Energy Performance Obligation Enforcement Regulations of the period 2021-2030.
  • M9. Carrying out targeted information and training actions
    Title of measure policy M9. Carrying out targeted information and training actions
    Dimension-Type III - Information and education actions
    Purpose Implementation of targeted information and education actions to affected households and professionals, which are related to the implementation of energy saving actions in them.
    Description The specific policy measure includes the design and implementation of targeted and innovative information and education actions at a central level, both for households affected by energy poverty, and for professionals who will be involved in the implementation of the various technical measures in affected households. The implementation of the specific actions will be carried out with the involvement of all agencies, which can contribute to the dissemination of existing know-how. The specific actions may cover the provision of specialized energy saving advice, as well as information regarding the energy tariffs that have been formulated and are in force for all energy products. In addition, emphasis will be placed on informing the affected households about the available financing programs and their protection measures, including the criteria and procedures for their inclusion in them. Finally, tackling energy poverty in rental housing will be facilitated through the provision of targeted information to all parties involved (tenants, landlords and policy makers). The information and training actions will be appropriately designed to minimize their interaction with the corresponding information and training actions, which will be implemented under policy measure M8 by the Obliged Parties under the Enforcement Regime. Regarding the training of the professionals involved in the implementation of the various technical measures, emphasis will be placed on the protection of personal data and the implementation of best practices to avoid the risk of stigmatization of the affected households. In addition, voluntary agreements will be concluded with associations of professional and productive entities in order to centrally plan the required actions and maximize the benefit for affected households. Finally, the operation and continuous updating of a reliable price comparison tool of the various energy products under the monitoring and control of RAE is necessary, in order to improve the current level of knowledge and understanding of energy tariffs by the affected households.
    Implementation Timeline 2021-2030
    Public Expenditure Budget €10 million for the central planning and implementation of targeted information and training actions.
    Expected results 100 thousand affected households are expected to be affected by policy measure M9.
    Partners involved YPEN, RAE, OTA, educational organizations, research centers, professional associations and consumer protection and representation bodies and associations.