A reduction in the special consumption tax on fuels, taxation of the excess profits of energy companies, and acceleration of investments in electricity storage were proposed by PASOK MEP Giannis Maniatis, speaking to ERTnews and the program Deka me Tono, about the energy cost in Greece and the options the country has in the face of high prices.
Mr. Maniatis argued that there is room for a reduction in the special consumption tax on gasoline, citing the example of Germany, which, as he stated, proceeded with a reduction of about 17 cents per liter.
As he explained, the reduction concerns the special consumption tax and not VAT, while he argued that Greece also has room to reduce this specific tax, within the framework of European standards.
“Greece has a very high burden on fuels”
The PASOK MEP argued that Greece is among the EU countries with the highest gasoline prices and that the overall burden from the Special Consumption Tax and VAT is particularly high.
In this context, he cited data on the course of tax revenues, arguing that the increased revenues create, in his view, room for interventions in fuel costs.
He himself questioned the need for European approval to precede such a move, referring to countries that, as he said, have already proceeded with reductions.
Barbs about the government's stance
Asked about the argument that a tax reduction should be taken into account within fiscal constraints, Mr. Maniatis described the relevant government references as a “hodgepodge of information” which, as he said, causes confusion among citizens.
At another point in the interview, he attributed possible delays to political motives, saying that no one can know the government's motives and that he himself is limited, as he stressed, to the “objective reality” of the European framework.
The lack of electricity storage is a “huge problem”
He placed particular emphasis on the issue of electricity storage, arguing that Greece has significantly lagged behind in the development of infrastructure that could make better use of production from RES.
According to him, the lack of storage leads to situations where cheap production from photovoltaics cannot be utilized when there is a surplus, while the electricity needed during the evening hours may be more expensive.
The issue of Greece’s low storage capacity has also been raised at the level of the European Commission. In a response by the competent commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis to a question by Mr. Maniatis, it was pointed out that the lack of flexibility can increase both price volatility and the cost of the electricity system.
Mr. Maniatis stated that there are about 4.5 GW of storage projects awaiting approval, arguing that the delay in their implementation burdens the energy system.
Fixed tariffs and consumer protection
On the front of electricity bills, the MEP came out in favor of fixed tariffs, arguing that consumers are not in a position to constantly monitor market fluctuations and assess complex tariff parameters.
As he said, after the energy crisis that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe remains to a significant extent dependent on natural gas, which ultimately also affects the price of electricity.
His position in favor of greater development of storage and electrical interconnections has also been expressed at the European level. In June 2026, Mr. Maniatis had stated that he was proposing funding for electrical interconnections and energy storage.
“Windfall profits should be taxed”
Mr. Maniatis also reiterated the proposal for taxing the excess profits of energy companies, saying that this position has been expressed both by PASOK and by the European parliamentary group of the Socialists and Democrats.
As he argued, there is a European framework that allows the taxation of profits that exceed a specific level compared with the average of previous years.
According to him, the government should make use of all available tools to address energy costs, including reducing the Special Consumption Tax, addressing excess profits, and accelerating investments in storage.
“The market should be opened to small players”
The MEP also raised the issue of access for smaller investors to electrical space, that is, the available capacity of the networks.
As he argued, municipalities, energy communities, and small and medium-sized enterprises face difficulties in accessing the grid, while he called for more space to be given to small producers and decentralized energy projects.
As a characteristic example, he mentioned Germany, where, according to the data he cited, a significant percentage of green production comes from agricultural cooperatives, energy communities, and small and medium-sized investors. Correspondingly, he argued that in Greece the participation of these categories is much smaller.
More interconnections and batteries
Mr. Maniatis also referred to European energy planning, arguing that more electrical interconnections with neighboring countries and more storage systems are needed.
In this context, he made special reference to pumped storage hydropower, explaining that when there is a surplus of electricity from RES, water is pumped to a higher level and then, when needed, is channeled back downward so that electricity can be produced.
As an example, he mentioned the pumped storage project in Amfilochia, which he described as a characteristic case of delays. Amfilochia is indeed included among the storage projects linked to the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Drilling in the Ionian and natural gas
At the end of the discussion, Mr. Maniatis welcomed the prospect of the start of drilling in the Ionian, arguing that Europe will continue to need natural gas for the coming decades.
As he stated, countries that have their own natural gas deposits should be able to exploit them, while Europe, in his view, should facilitate this process.
In a recent interview, he had estimated that the natural gas deposits in the Ionian and south of Crete could bring Greece €60-70 billion in public revenues over a 20-25 year horizon. This is his own estimate and not confirmed future revenue.