Why does electricity remain expensive despite the growing share of renewable energy? Nikos Mantzaris, Lead Policy Analyst and co-founder of The Green Tank, spoke with Niki Bakouli on Pop Science, News 24/7’s podcast about the factors shaping electricity prices and ways to reduce energy costs for consumers.
Nikos Mantzaris explained the upward pressure that fossil gas puts on wholesale electricity prices, as well as the need for more energy storage to make better use of low-cost renewable electricity and reduce reliance on expensive fossil gas.
He also highlighted the lack of information among consumers, as reflected in an analysis of data from the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY). The data show that most consumers continue to use green tariffs even though they are the most expensive option. A key finding from The Green Tank’s analysis is that if households on green tariffs had switched each month to the cheapest yellow tariff during 2024–2025, they could have collectively avoided €907 million in electricity costs.
He also pointed to the slow development of dynamic (orange) tariff products by suppliers, which means that the more than 1.6 million smart meters already installed in Greece are not being fully utilised. He stressed the need for stronger oversight and regulatory supervision of the retail electricity market, as well as a simpler and standardised process for consumers to switch between tariffs and suppliers, in order to strengthen competition and benefit consumers.
He further stressed the importance of consumers having a clear understanding of their actual electricity consumption and making use of available tariff comparison tools to minimise their energy costs.
Finally, Nikos Mantzaris explained how self-consumption systems — whether installed on balconies or rooftops, with or without batteries — can help households reduce the burden of high energy bills. He also welcomed the recent Ministerial Decision, which improves the prospects for the wider uptake of self-consumption in Greece.
Listen to the full conversation [in Greek] on Pop Science, News 24/7’s podcast, published on 5 October 2026 here and on our YouTube channel here.
Read our report on Trends in Greece’s Retail Electricity Market.
