SAVE Programme

Question for written answer  E-001159/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

The ‘SAVE’ programme and other such programmes, which are being exploited as a means of justifying the high cost of energy deregulation, are in fact exacerbating and perpetuating the problem of household energy poverty, forcing the few low-income households directly concerned to make huge financial outlays, as the programme is being used as a tool to justify the high cost of liberalised energy.

Hundreds of thousands of low-income households are being aggressively coerced, with the promise of subsidies, into spending large sums of money, the social usefulness of which is dubious, to achieve a satisfactory energy rating, failing which their properties will become worthless. At the same time, the Greek State has been distributing the subsidies in such a way as to benefit the major engineering companies.

In fact, the real goal of these programmes is to accelerate the rapid fall in the value of investments already made by low-income households in heating/cooling.

In view of the above:

• 1.Where does the Commission stand on the need to help all low-income households fully meet their energy needs by abolishing fuel taxes for these households, setting the price of heating oil at EUR 0.30/litre and electricity at EUR 0.05/kwh, providing adequate subsidies to all low-income households and passing on costs to RES groups and oil companies?
• 2.What view does it take of the introduction of compulsory energy and other certificates needed to prevent the very modest properties of low-income households from losing their value, their real purpose being to promote investment opportunities for large companies?
• 3.Does it agree on the need for comprehensive measures to meet the combined needs of low-income households today by ensuring that quality, safe, modern, affordable and spacious housing is available to all?