Energy Minister: Government will be unswerving on unfair practices

Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas speaking on SKAI channel, pledged  to support households and small and medium-sized businesses while the energy crisis lasts. In the shadow of the Regulatory Authority for Energy – RAE’s announcement about the phenomena of misleading reports and advertisements from suppliers, Mr. Skrekas warned that the Government’s wrath will fall heavily on phenomena of unfair practices.

The minister noted that for August alone, subsidies amounting to 1.136 billion euros were announced to support households and small and medium-sized enterprises, and this, he stressed, will continue as long as the energy crisis lasts,” said the minister.

Worst crisis since 1970

Mr. Skrekas characterize the energy crisis is the worst energy crisis since the 1970s, worse than the oil crises of the 1970s. And as he explained, “we are not going to allow the phenomena of unfair commercial practices and circumvention of the legislative framework we voted for consumer protection”.

Vile phenomena

“We saw from a few suppliers changing the fixed charges, and increasing them unimaginably, we passed a provision with a ceiling of up to 5 euros per month for the fixed charges. We will not allow phenomena of profiteering and misleading consumers, we will protect consumers, we will not tolerate abusive behavior from anyone, the penalty will be heavy”, Mr Skrekas said.

Kostas Skrekas reminded that “we passed a provision of the law that allows the consumer to change provider free of charge without penalty, without any compensation, he will of course have to pay his previous bill”.

He also reminded that the adjustment clause for at least one year is abolished and suppliers must inform their consumers about the next month’s prices. “It is already gone through the RAE website and the consumer can compare prices and choose which supplier is the most competitive,” noted Mr. Skrekas.