The energy crisis that we have been experiencing for about a year, in addition to its long duration, is especially acute due to a significant increase in prices for all types of fuel.

On Sept. 14, the European Commission may have announced a package of measures aimed at curbing high electricity prices in the EU, but prices do not seem to come down automatically. And this is because the markets have their own criteria for risk assessment and risk management. Thus, despite the announcement of a revenue ceiling for electricity producers (€180/MWh) from nuclear energy, lignite and renewable energy sources, which will allow significant revenues to be redistributed between households and enterprises and keep retail prices at a reasonable level, wholesale prices for electricity and natural gas (where there is no ceiling) continue to rise, increasing uncertainty about the course of the European energy market, which is 60% dependent on imports of energy raw materials and products.

While the Commission’s aforementioned intervention is incomplete, it certainly represents a ray of optimism, meaning that, albeit slowly, a concerted effort is being made to contain prices. However, this does not necessarily mean that electricity and natural gas prices will start to decline soon. At best, consumer prices are expected to remain at current levels. Therefore, the energy survival of consumers is at stake and immediate action is required to avoid the coming wave of energy poverty.

Yes, the government, like other countries in Europe, is trying to keep consumer prices at a reasonable level through massive subsidies, but there is a limit to financial assistance, beyond which the economy risks collapse. The Prime Minister also announced the end of horizontal subsidies in his recent TIF speech, with a progressive electricity subsidy currently being promoted that is estimated to help reduce electricity consumption.

In Greece, there is huge scope for improving energy efficiency, which is why the latest National Energy and Climate Plan (ESEK) set a goal to increase energy efficiency by 45% by 2030. Whether this goal is ambitious depends on the degree of mobilization of all consumers, be it households and businesses or public buildings and structures. And in this direction, the government should develop a policy and give specific directions, stimulating energy conservation at many levels.

Since the building sector is the largest proportional consumer of energy (the others are industry, agriculture and transport), interest in energy efficiency measures is inevitably focused on buildings and the built environment in general. And while all new buildings based on regulation (KENAK) should have low or even zero energy consumption, the problem lies with the existing ones, which are also the main building volume with a long age cycle.

Among others, available tools and measures to improve energy efficiency in buildings include internal and external insulation of the building shell, installation of heat pumps for heating and cooling, installation of low energy consumption lamps (LED), replacement of old frames. with new sealed ones, installation of solar thermal systems to supply hot water, installation of photovoltaic systems on the rooftop or rooftop to generate electricity, solar greenhouse extension to heat the space and reduce heat loss, etc. . Thus, through a combination of applications, every household and every business can significantly improve their energy efficiency. If one writes down the energy used by a building and maps out areas that can save energy, they will be surprised, as energy savings usually easily reach and exceed 50% of energy consumption without necessarily opting for expensive solutions such as photovoltaics. or heat pumps.

Yes, the government has been implementing Save at Home programs for ten years and their contribution is generally considered very positive, but the current situation is such that immediate solutions are required. For this reason, the government, in addition to the current programs and measures recently announced (7.9) for public buildings, which account for only 10% of the total energy consumption of buildings, should, as soon as possible, study and announce in the form of a campaign, a nationwide, large-scale energy saving program.

Starting with general guidelines and instructions that will be addressed to all citizens and easily applicable, and moving to specialization of measures by types of buildings, placing the responsibility for energy saving on the residents, and not just on the owners. Finally, it should be noted that the widespread and systematic implementation of measures to improve the energy situation in buildings will have very positive long-term consequences for the economy, as it will mobilize dozens of professional industries and strengthen the domestic industrial production of systems. and components (e.g. solar water heaters, metal structures, insulation, aluminum frames, electrical wiring, etc.).

* Mr. Kostis N. Stambolis is President and CEO of the South East European Energy Institute (IENE).