62019TJ0794_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 7 September 2022 –Set v Commission
(Case T‑794/19) (
1
)
(State aid – Italian electricity market – Capacity mechanism – Decision not to raise objections – Availability of the electricity production capacity – Modification of the capacity mechanism – Serious difficulties – Procedural rights of interested parties – Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020)
1.
State aid – Planned aid – Examination by the Commission – Preliminary review and main review – Compatibility of aid with the internal market – Difficulties of assessment – Commission’s duty to initiate the main review procedure – Serious difficulties – Burden of proof – Circumstances enabling the existence of such difficulties to be established – Body of consistent evidence relating to the conduct and duration of the preliminary examination procedure, the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the Commission’s decision not to raise any objections and the content of the decision
(Art. 108(2) TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 4(3))
(see paragraphs 25-33, 49-76, 94-109, 114-141)
2.
State aid – Commission decision not to raise objections in respect of a national measure – Obligation to state reasons – Scope
(Arts 107(3)(c), 108(3), and 296 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 38-40)
3.
State aid – Prohibition – Exceptions – Discretion of the Commission – Adoption by the Commission of guidelines governing the compatibility of aid with the internal market – Consequences – Self-limitation of its discretion
(Art. 107(3)(c) TFEU; Commission Notice 2014/C 200/1)
(see paragraph 45)
4.
State aid – Prohibition – Exceptions – Aid capable of being regarded as compatible with the internal market – Aid granted in the energy sector – Guidelines on aid for environmental protection and energy – Aid for generation adequacy and pursuing an objective relating to environmental protection – Criteria
(Art. 5(4) TEU; Arts 107(3)(c) and 194(1) TFEU; Commission Notice 2014/C 200/1)
(see paragraphs 83-90)
5.
Judicial proceedings – Introduction of new pleas during the proceedings – Conditions – Amplification of an existing plea – No amplification – Inadmissibility
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 84(1))
(see paragraphs 145-151)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Set SpA to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Commission;
3.
Declares that the Italian Republic is to bear its own costs;
4.
Declares that EP Produzione SpA, A2A SpA, Edison SpA, Alperia Trading Srl, Elettricità Futura – Unione delle imprese elettriche italiane, Terna – Rete elettrica nazionale SpA and Enel Produzione SpA are to bear their own costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 10, 13.1.2020.