WRITTEN QUESTION E-0165/00 by Rosa Díez González (PSE), Fernando Pérez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. Monitoring of state aid to the Spanish electricity sector.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, State aid, control of State aid, electrical industry, liberalisation of the market, single market

C 330 E/96

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

The common position lays down criteria following which Member States may extend the implementation
period, and in certain cases set lower environmental objectives. These are, among others, unforeseen and
extraordinary droughts, and flooding or regeneration of groundwater, which often for natural reasons will
exceed the period laid down by the proposal. The first reading of Parliament and the recently adopted
amendments of the environment committee suggest a strengthening of the criteria.

The Commission(cid:146)s evaluation of the consequences of implementation were presented in the explanatory
memorandum to the original proposal. Council and Parliament have not commented on this evaluation in
their respective readings of the proposal.

(1) OJ C 343, 30.11.1999.
(2) OJ C 184, 17.6.1997.
(3) COM(2000) 1 final.
(4) OJ C 342 E, 30.11.1999.

(2000/C 330 E/105)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0165/00

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE)
and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Monitoring of state aid to the Spanish electricity sector

With reference to the state aid for competition transition costs given to the Spanish electricity sector, and
bearing in mind that Commissioner Monti has recognised that the sixth transitional provision of Law
54/97 on the Spanish electricity sector is a state aid which was granted without prior notification of the
Commission, what view will the Commission take of the amounts already received by Spanish electricity
companies when it comes to take a decision on this matter pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2000)

In accordance with the Court(cid:146)s case law, the unlawful nature of a state aid measure, i.e. the fact that the aid
was granted without prior notification to the Commission, does not prejudge its compatibility with the
common market. The amounts already received will, therefore, be examined on the basis of the EC Treaty
articles to determine whether they are compatible with the common market and whether they will have to
be repaid.

(2000/C 330 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0167/00

by Rosa D(cid:237)ez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE)
and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Competition transition costs (CTC) and market variables for the Spanish electricity sector

Bearing in mind the funding system introduced by the sixth transitional provision of Law 54/97 on the
Spanish electricity sector enabling electricity companies to receive aid to cover competition transition
costs, has the Commission urged the Spanish government to amend this provision and link the granting of
CTC to market variables (demand, price, interest rates, etc.), as the Commission advocated in its analysis
methodology for state aid linked to CTC?