62021TJ0127_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 4 February 2026 –Swissgrid v Commission
(Case T‑127/21 RENV)
(Energy – European platforms for the exchange of standard products for balancing energy – Switzerland’s participation – Article 1(6) and (7) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2195 – Letter from the Commission refusing to authorise the Swiss transmission system operator to participate in the platforms – Action for annulment – Challengeable act – Continuing interest in bringing proceedings – Locus standi – Admissibility – Lack of competence of the author of the act)
1.
Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Acts of direct and individual concern to them – Direct concern – Criteria – Commission Decision addressed to the EU transmission system operators for electricity refusing to authorise the Swiss Confederation to participate in the European platforms for electricity balancing – Decision directly affecting the applicant’s legal position – No discretion on the part of the addressees of the decision – Applicant directly concerned
(Art. 263, fourth para. TFEU; Commission Regulation 2017/2195, Art 1(6) and (7))
(see paragraphs 22-30)
2.
Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Acts of direct and individual concern to them – Individual concern – Criteria – Commission Decision addressed to the EU transmission system operators for electricity refusing to authorise the Swiss Confederation to participate in the European platforms for electricity balancing – Action brought by the only Swiss transmission system operator for electricity – Applicant individually concerned
(Art. 263, fourth para. TFEU; Commission Regulation 2017/2195, Art 1(6) and (7))
(see paragraphs 31-34)
3.
Action for annulment – Interest in bringing proceedings – Concept – Action capable of securing a benefit for the applicant – Interest having to subsist until the delivery of the court decision – Condition fulfilled
(Art. 263, fourth para. TFEU; Commission Regulation 2017/2195, Art. 1(7))
(see paragraphs 36-39)
4.
Action for annulment – Pleas in law – Lack of competence of the author of the contested act – Examination by the EU judicature of its own motion
(Art. 263 TFEU)
(see paragraph 42)
5.
EU institutions – Exercise of powers – Delegation – Conditions – European Commission – Adoption of a decision of principle by the delegating authority – Precluded – Lack of competence of the author of that decision – Annulment of the decision
(Rules of Procedure of the Commission, Art. 14)
(see paragraphs 46-49, 53-56)
6.
Action for annulment – Pleas in law – Infringement of essential procedural requirements – Infringement by an institution of its rules of procedure – Breach of the principle of collegiality by the Commission in adopting a decision of principle – Plea raised by a natural or legal person – Whether permissible
(Arts 250 and 263 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 50-52)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls the decision contained in the letter of the European Commission of 17 December 2020, by which the Commission refused to authorise, pursuant to Article 1(7) of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2195 of 23 November 2017 concerning a guideline on electricity balancing, the Swiss Confederation to participate in the European platforms for the exchange of standard products for balancing energy, in particular the Trans European Replacement Reserves Exchange platform;
2.
Orders the Commission to pay the costs relating to Cases T‑127/21, T‑127/21 RENV and C‑121/23 P.