Several dozens farmers from Aitoloakarnania in Western Greece gathered outside the Environment Ministry in Athens to protest the extra “solidarity levy” of 32-42% to be imposed on turnover from photovoltaic systems.
The angry farmers threw vegetables and even eggs to show their opposition to the levy.
what farmers have to do with photovoltaic systems?
Because Papandreou government had praised the ‘green energy’ three years ago and even gave licenses to farmers to turn cultivation land into energy producing parks.
But taxes and lowering the price of energy sold to Greek Public Power Company angered the farmers who claim they ‘planted’ photovoltaic panels to complement their rural income. the majority of them took even bank loans for the investment.
“The new levy will now make the investment unprofitable, while the banks demand back the money they lent,” the protesters claimed.
The government decision for the levy between 32% and 42% on the photovoltaic turnover has been inserted in the multi-bill to be voted by the Greek Parliament on upcoming days.
From the levy exempted will be only the photovoltaic systems on the roofs of private homes.
The photovoltaic business seems to have turned sour for many small and medium investors, less than three years after its launching.
PS How can Greece attract investors if there are continuous tax and levy hikes?
Standard vulture capitalist tactics.
1)entice the farmers to invest in the infrastructure with promises of
rich pickings.
2)once done, make their investment unprofitable through taxation
3)put more pressure on them through banks
4)force them to sell
5)move in with low buying offer
6)take the rich pickings, leave them with the debt.
7)increase the price of electricity to make even more profit
Energy supply is THE business of the future. did you really think small/medium investers were going to be allowed their share of the spoils.
me? No. but they did!
Indeed, and then governments world-wide wonder why people don’t trust them any longer…
Another great example why no one, in their right mind, even DARES invest in this country.