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Greek Energy Minister Praises Authority’s Achievements And Charts A Strategic Path Forward

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 19, 2025

Energy, Commerce And Industry Minister George Papanastasiou recently expressed his satisfaction with the progress and accomplishments of the Hellenic Electric Authority (often referred to as ΑΗΚ) for 2024 during a visit to its headquarters on November 17, 2025. In a commendatory address, the Minister thanked management and staff for their cooperative efforts and underscored the Authority’s essential role in maintaining a secure energy system, ensuring reliable power supply, and working to lower electricity costs.

Key Infrastructure Upgrades And Market Innovations

The Minister highlighted several critical priorities that lie ahead. Notable among these are the comprehensive upgrading of transmission networks, the installation of advanced storage systems, and the execution of a development program focused on energy production. He also stressed the importance of fostering a competitive electricity market through measures such as the recent introduction of a new Technical Guide for zero-injection photovoltaic systems and the launch of pilot projects aimed at optimizing smart meter utilization to reduce costs.

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Leveraging European Investment For A Modernized Grid

A fundamental element of this strategic roadmap involves the deployment of 120 million euros in European funds dedicated to the digitization and modernization of the transmission and distribution networks. This initiative is expected to mitigate renewable energy curtailments while ensuring more efficient system operations. In tandem, progress on smart meter installations continues apace, with full implementation scheduled by January 2027.

Enhancing Flexibility And Resilience In A Competitive Environment

The Minister further emphasized that by 2027, the Authority is tasked with implementing new tariff structures designed to more accurately reflect production profiles and varying demand peaks. Flexible interconnections and seamless integration of demand response mechanisms are set to become cornerstones of this evolving strategy. The launch of a competitive electricity market on September 15, 2025, marked a significant step forward following years of delays, with substantial support from the Distribution System Operator and other stakeholders.

Advancements In Production And Storage Capacity

On the production front, ongoing projects include the upgrade of the Dekeleia Power Station with new generators and an 80 MW storage system slated for operation by 2026. Looking further ahead, plans envisage a comprehensive 600 MW storage capability by 2030, complemented by a distributed 120 MW system with transparent participation rules by 2026. In parallel, the modernization of the Vasiliko power plant is underway, featuring a new natural gas unit and upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Commitment To Operational Excellence And Resilience

As the Authority adapts to a competitive market landscape, Minister Papanastasiou reiterated the need to enhance operational flexibility, improve efficiency, and better serve the public. He concluded his address by expressing gratitude to the Authority’s personnel for their swift and effective response in restoring the electrical system following the severe fire incident in the mountainous region of Limassol in July 2025, a testament to the team’s professionalism and dedication.

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EU Agrees On Major Overhaul Of Financial Market Supervision

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 9, 2026

European Union finance ministers have reached agreement on a sweeping package designed to strengthen oversight of the bloc’s financial markets, in a move aimed at reducing fragmentation and improving the flow of capital across borders.

A Push To Deepen Capital Markets

The Market Integration and Supervision Package, or MISP, would grant the European Securities and Markets Authority direct supervision over major market operators that are currently regulated by national authorities. The reforms are intended to make Europe’s capital markets more integrated, more efficient and better able to channel savings into productive investment.

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According to the Irish presidency, the package is meant to help savings and investments move more freely across the European Union, improving access to finance for companies while giving households broader opportunities to earn returns on their savings.

What The Reform Would Change

Under the new framework, ESMA would take direct oversight of key trading venues, clearing houses, securities settlement bodies and crypto-asset service providers. The package would also establish a permanent, independent executive board within the regulator, strengthening its institutional capacity.

Market operators would be able to opt into a new EU-wide operating framework. In parallel, the reforms would seek to make national supervision more consistent and update rules governing trading, transaction completion, investment management and the use of blockchain technology.

Why The Agreement Matters

Supporters of deeper capital markets argue that Europe has long paid a price for regulatory inconsistency. While many rules are harmonised across the bloc, differences in enforcement and supervision have contributed to a patchwork system that can make cross-border investment slower and more costly.

A more integrated framework, proponents say, could lower costs for companies seeking funding and broaden the menu of investment options available to savers and institutional investors alike.

Outstanding Questions Remain

Despite the broad agreement, some important details remain unresolved. Trading venues operated by Deutsche Börse, the company behind the Frankfurt stock exchange, may remain outside ESMA’s direct supervision.

Euronews previously reported that Germany had secured an exemption for Deutsche Börse’s domestically focused trading venues, leaving part of the system under regional supervision. The latest announcement did not clarify whether that arrangement will stand.

A Step Forward For The Savings And Investments Union

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen welcomed the deal, calling it a major advance for the Capital Markets Union and saying Europe had made more progress in 10 months than in the previous 10 years.

The agreement is an important milestone in the Savings and Investments Union, the EU’s broader effort to channel more of Europeans’ savings into investments that can support growth, innovation and competitiveness across the bloc.