ATHENS – There are almost zero chances that the energy crisis will lead to power cuts, Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas said on Tuesday, talking to the private broadcaster Skai.

“In life and at a time when a conventional and energy war is raging, no one can rule out anything, but I repeat that these possibilities are very small, almost zero,” Skrekas said.

Among the measures taken to ensure a sufficient supply, the minister listed the installation of a second Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) storage tank in Revythoussa, an increase in coal production, the option to switch to diesel in power plants now using natural gas and natgas storage. In addition, there will soon be an EU directive on energy conservation, especially during peak hours in the afternoon and evening.

Referring to the subsidies for energy bills, which the government is due to announce in the next few days, Skrekas repeated that there will be three subsidy brackets, ranging from high to low, as well as an additional discount for anyone cutting energy consumption relative to the previous year. It is estimated that these will absorb 90-94 pct of the rate increases.

The minister said that no bonus will be given for decreasing natural gas consumption as this would be hard to calculate for apartment blocks with shared central heating systems. The price will be seven to 10 times higher than in the previous year and state support will make it more affordable but not similar to pre-crisis levels, he said.