KYSEA | Extraordinary meeting on country’s energy security in the shadow of Ukrainian crisis

Defence Redefined

Published on 22/02/2022 at 10:45

The Governmental National Security Council (KYSEA) is currently holding an extraordinary meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the participation of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas.

Vladimir Putin’s decision to cross the Rubicon obliges Athens to upgrade the high level of alarm. The mobilization of the Greek side led to the convening of KYSEA, as the Ukrainian crisis escalates.

Inevitably, the focus of the meeting, chaired by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is the reassessment of the domestic preparation for the transmission of the Ukrainian “fever” as well as its possible geopolitical consequences.

It is clear that considering the latest developments, the changes in the parameters on which the analysis for the impact on the energy resilience of the country was based will be examined. Besides, the antidote that has been developed by the competent ministry, in collaboration with the energy market players, seeks to deal with even the most extreme scenarios for the power lines of the Greek energy system.

At the recent meeting held at the Maximos Palace, it was generally believed that the worst-case scenario for the country, created by the closing of the Turkstream pipeline, given that the supplies of Russian gas amount to 40% – 45% of the national reserve which is directed to domestic consumption, is not highly likely. Even in the event of an outbreak, it is unlikely that this will be one of the Russian President’s first choices.

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On the other hand, the catalyst for the success of the project of creating reserves that will not allow the disruption in meeting the energy needs, is considered to be the maintenance of the maximum level in the reserve of the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal in Revythousa.

The TAP pipeline, which carries natural gas from Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea, will also be used to maintain high levels of energy “oxygen”.

To ensure the adequacy of supplies, a liquefied natural gas transport vessel from Algeria has already been put on standby. In case of a rapid escalation scenario, the information converges on the fact that a corresponding solution will be employed through Egypt.

However, as reported by sources familiar with the preparation, there is a ready-made plan to reduce gas consumption.

According to the plan, the losses will be compensated by the activation of the reserves of the electricity generation companies. At least five power plants have been put on standby, which can generate electricity using diesel. In order to enhance adequacy, the increased participation of lignite plants is not ruled out.

With information from: AMNA, CNN Greece

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