Μake us preferred on Google A new increase in energy costs, combined with uncertainty over Europe’s energy supply ahead of winter, is once again raising concerns over the competitiveness of Greek industry.
Sixteen organizations representing the productive and industrial sectors are calling on the government to immediately activate the European CISAF and METSAF tools, arguing that more than 700 energy-intensive manufacturing companies remain exposed to fluctuations in electricity prices.
The energy crisis puts industry under renewed pressure
Geopolitical developments and rising natural gas prices are creating a new environment of uncertainty for European businesses. For industry, the problem is more acute, as energy costs are a critical factor in production, exports and the preservation of jobs.
In Greece, more than 700 energy-intensive facilities are facing sharp swings in electricity prices, without a corresponding support framework having been activated to date, unlike measures already being implemented in other European countries.
The industry’s request, therefore, concerns not only the immediate operating costs of businesses, but also their ability to maintain production and proceed with the investments required for the green transition.
What Germany, Italy and other European countries are doing
According to industry groups, member states including Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Austria and Ireland have already made use of available European tools to limit the impact of high energy costs on their businesses.
The issue is particularly important for Greek production because companies are not competing only in the domestic market. Differences in energy costs can directly affect product prices, exports and decisions on new investments.
Greek industry argues that it needs a stable framework to navigate this period of high volatility and avoid being placed at a disadvantage compared with businesses operating in other EU member states.
CISAF and METSAF at the center of the request
The European framework is moving in two directions: short-term measures to address higher energy costs and, at the same time, financing for investments that can permanently reduce companies’ energy expenditures.
The Clean Industrial Deal and the CISAF framework have been designed to support Europe’s industrial base during the transition to cleaner technologies. METSAF was added as an emergency tool to address the effects of the new energy crisis linked to developments in the Middle East.
Greek industry groups are calling for these tools to be used immediately, arguing that there is no need to design a new national model, but rather to make use of mechanisms that have already been created at the European level.
Three-year horizon for more than 700 companies
A key demand is to provide energy-intensive manufacturing companies with a stable three-year framework. The aim is to reduce their exposure to extreme fluctuations in electricity prices and allow them to plan production and investments with greater certainty.
The proposal also links energy support to the green transition. Specifically, it calls for 50% of the support to be reinvested in projects involving energy storage, flexibility, energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization.
In this way, short-term support would serve as a financial bridge toward a production model with lower and more predictable energy costs.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment”
Industry representatives insist that their request is not for preferential treatment, but for the creation of a level playing field with companies in other European countries.
Their position is that Greek industry must be able to absorb higher energy costs without being forced to reduce production or investment. At the same time, linking support to green-transition investments is intended to ensure that government assistance does not function merely as a temporary subsidy for costs, but leads to a permanent improvement in the energy competitiveness of Greek production.
The message to the government is that the timing of the activation of existing European tools is critical, as businesses are being asked to plan production and investments in an environment of high energy uncertainty.
