Prolongation of the Greek interruptibility and flexibility schemes

ClientEarth argues that Greece's proposed extension of its flexibility and interruptibility schemes is unjustified because a recent resource adequacy assessment indicates no supply concerns for 2020-2030. The organization contends that these schemes act as a disincentive for Greece to implement the 'Target Model' market reforms and may violate the recast Electricity Market Regulation (EMR), which positions such measures as a 'last resort'. ClientEarth highlights that the interruptibility scheme disproportionately impacts solar power producers through its levy formula and notes ongoing legal challenges against both schemes in the Greek Council of State.

• The prolongation of the flexibility and interruptibility schemes is deemed unnecessary as a National Resource Adequacy Assessment (NRAA) published by the TSO ADMIE on 14 January 2020 concludes there will be no resource adequacy concerns in the Greek energy system between 2020 and 2030.
• The interruptibility scheme is funded by a levy on electricity producers that disproportionately affects renewable energy, specifically solar and wind power, which contribute 1.8% and 1.0% of gross income respectively, compared to lignite (0.2%) and gas (0.1%).
• ClientEarth asserts that continuing these schemes disincentivises Greece from implementing the 'Target Model' market reforms, which have been delayed since 2017.
• Both schemes face legal challenges in the Greek Council of State: the interruptibility scheme was challenged in 2016 by the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers (SPEF) over discrimination against RES, and the flexibility mechanism was challenged in October 2018 by the Public Power Corporation (PPC) regarding discrimination of hydropower against natural gas.
• Under the recast Electricity Market Regulation (EMR), flexibility and interruptibility schemes are classified as 'last resort' measures and should only be used when market reforms cannot achieve the expected results.

APA

ClientEarth (2020). Prolongation of the Greek interruptibility and flexibility schemes. https://www.clientearth.org/media/d0rfajv2/clientearths-observations-on-the-prolongation-of-the-greek-flexibility-and-interruptibility-schemes-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Prolongation of the Greek interruptibility and flexibility schemes. 2020. https://www.clientearth.org/media/d0rfajv2/clientearths-observations-on-the-prolongation-of-the-greek-flexibility-and-interruptibility-schemes-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Prolongation of the Greek interruptibility and flexibility schemes |date=20 February 2020 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/d0rfajv2/clientearths-observations-on-the-prolongation-of-the-greek-flexibility-and-interruptibility-schemes-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2020prolongation, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Prolongation of the Greek interruptibility and flexibility schemes}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/d0rfajv2/clientearths-observations-on-the-prolongation-of-the-greek-flexibility-and-interruptibility-schemes-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }