Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Parl't passes deregulation of natgas market

[01] Parl't passes deregulation of natgas market

"This completes a major reform for Greece," Deputy Development Minister George Salagoudis told the house.

Last week, parliament also voted through a bill that marked the final stage in deregulation of the electricity market.

Also being freed are biofuel and other renewable energy. Biofuel is expected to contribute to a decrease in the country's dependence on oil, along with other power sources.

The architect of the natural gas bill, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, has noted that the legislation will allow competition in the market, ensure the safety of supplies, and provide a public utility service.

Gradual opening of the market will mean the entry of suppliers beyond state run DEPA S.A. following the award of licences.

Under the terms of the legislation, an S.A. company named Natural Gas System Manager S.A. is to be created from DEPA to provide licences for construction, ownership, operation and exploitation of independent natural gas systems in line with objective and transparent criteria.

The bill awards additional powers to the Energy Regulatory Authority including supervision of the natural gas market, carrying out engineering studies, making recommendations, and arbitrating differences between customers and suppliers.

The new agency will also allow acess by users to the national natural gas transportation system with no discrimination, including accounting separation for procurement activities, Sioufas said.

The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement had backed the bill in principle but voted against 17 of its articles due to a disagreement over procedures.

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