EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/878

(2004/C 84 E/0972)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0781/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Liberalisation of the electricity market — licences for river diversions

The existence of varying systems aggravates imbalances, and this results in there being considerable competitive pressure on Member States which have already set the exact duration of licences. An asymmetric market would not only render such competitive pressure intolerable, but could also jeopardise part of the liberalisation of the electricity market. It would be interesting to know whether corrective measures and interventions are currently being planned in this connection.

Can the Commission provide information on how the licence and approval systems are regulated in the various EU Member States and in the new accession countries?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

Distinction needs to be made between the liberalisation of the electricity market and the relevant permit procedures for hydroelectric power plants.

The EU has developed comprehensive legislation for water policy the Water Framework Directive (1).

The Directive:

— addresses all waters (rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal waters);

— addresses all sources of human impact on water (including ‘inter alia’ the generation of electricity by thermic power plants or hydroelectric power plants);

— sets the legally binding objective of good status for all waters to be achieved/maintained by 2015 as a rule, linked to a non-deterioration clause;

— submits all relevant impacts on waters (e.g. abstractions, impoundments, river diversions as well as discharges) to a permit procedure. These controls/permits shall be periodically reviewed and where necessary updated.

Implementation of the Directive is following a step-by-step approach, with legal transposition into national legislation to be ensured by 22 December 2003 (new Member States: 1 May 2004), first analysis of pressures and impacts by 22 December 2004, followed by the development of river basin management plans under full public participation, to be finalised by 22 December 2009.

The Commission considers that the implementation of this Directive will not only ensure good quality (‘good status’) of waters, but also a sound and predictable basis for technical, financial and political decisions, thus providing a level playing field whilst respecting the different hydrological and environmental conditions in different regions of the Union. Since 2001, implementation of the Directive has been complemented by the comprehensive efforts of the Commission, Member States (including new Member States), non-governmental organisations and stakeholders in the strucure of a common implementation strategy.

The Water Framework Directive and its provisions outlined above will apply to new Member States joining the EU on 1 May 2004, as it does for current Member States. There are no transition periods.

(1) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.