natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In case the notified project would constitute a single investment project with project P3 in Freiberg South, the scaling down mechanism of point 67 of the RAG would have to be applied to the combined eligible costs of the two projects, and the notified aid together with the aid to be granted for the project P3 would exceed the maximum allowable, and the excess would be incompatible with Article 107(3)(a) TFEU.
Če bi priglašeni projekt in projekt P3 na jugu Freiberga sestavljala enoten naložbeni projekt, bi bilo treba uporabiti mehanizem zmanjšanja v skladu s točko 67 smernic o regionalni pomoči za zmanjšanje pomoči na skupne upravičene stroške obeh projektov. Skupni znesek priglašene pomoči in pomoči, odobrene za projekt P3, bi v tem primeru presegel največjo dovoljeno intenzivnost, presežek pa ne bi bil združljiv s členom 107(3)(a) PDEU.
In its decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, the Commission noted that the distance of only about 5 km between the location of the notified project (Freiberg East) and the previous project P3 (Freiberg South) could be regarded as immediate geographical proximity.
Komisija je v odločitvi o sprožitvi formalnega postopka preiskave ugotovila, da bi bilo mogoče samo 5-kilometrsko razdaljo med podjetjema priglašenega projekta (na vzhodu Freiberga) in prejšnjega projekta P3 (na jugu Freiberga) šteti za neposredno geografsko bližino.
The Commission further noted the presence of certain functional and technical links between the two investments, as well as rather strong strategic links.
Nato je Komisija ugotovila, da med obema naložbama obstajajo nekatere funkcionalne in tehnične povezave ter močne strateške povezave.
On this basis, the Commission raised doubts against Germany’s view that the notified project did not constitute a single investment project (in the meaning of point 60 and footnote 55 of the RAG) with the project P3 in Freiberg South, and invited third parties to comment on the indivisibility of the two DS investment projects in Freiberg.
Na podlagi tega je podvomila o stališču Nemčije, da priglašeni projekt (v smislu točke 60 in opombe 55 smernic o regionalni pomoči) in projekt P3 na jugu Freiberga ne sestavljata enotnega naložbenega projekta, in je zainteresirane tretje strani pozvala, naj predložijo svoje pripombe v zvezi z nedeljivostjo obeh naložbenih projektov podjetja DS v Freibergu.
In its decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, the Commission also assessed the compatibility with the general provisions of the RAG and with the specific rules for aid to large investment projects in point 68(a) and (b) of the RAG, concluding that the notified measure was in compliance with them.
Komisija je v odločitvi o sprožitvi formalnega postopka preiskave preučila tudi združljivost pomoči s splošnimi določbami smernic o regionalni pomoči in posebnimi predpisi za velike naložbene projekte v skladu s točko 68(a) in (b) smernic o regionalni pomoči ter ugotovila, da je priglašeni ukrep združljiv z njimi.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES
PRIPOMBE TRETJIH STRANI
The Commission received no observations from third parties.
Komisija ni prejela pripomb tretjih strani.
COMMENTS FROM THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES
PRIPOMBE NEMČIJE
Initial comments submitted by Germany
Prejšnja stališča Nemčije
In its initial comments submitted to the Commission (on 31 October and 2 December 2008), Germany expressed the view that the criteria (geographical proximity, technical, functional and strategic links) specified in point 60 and footnote 55 of the RAG are not suitable to determine whether two investment projects should be considered ‘economically indivisible’, because these factors do not allow to clarify the circumstances in which a project can be considered to be economically viable without the other project.
Nemčija je v prejšnjih stališčih, ki jih je predložila Komisiji (z dne 31. oktobra 2008 in 2. decembra 2008), menila, da merila, navedena v točki 60 in opombi 55 smernic o regionalni pomoči (geografska bližina ter tehnične, funkcionalne in strateške povezave), niso ustrezna za opredelitev, ali je mogoče naložbena projekta šteti za „ekonomsko nedeljiva“, ker ti dejavniki ne omogočajo pojasnitve okoliščin, s katerimi je mogoče en projekt brez drugega šteti za ekonomsko smiselnega.
Germany further argued that to interpret the legal concept of ‘economic indivisibility’ the sole decisive factor is whether one project is economically feasible without the other.
Nemčija je navedla, da je razlaga pravnega pojma „ekonomska nedeljivost“ edino odločilno merilo pri odločitvi, ali je en projekt brez drugega ekonomsko izvedljiv.
Germany further considered that the Commission’s argument that there is some kind of functional and technical links between the projects in Freiberg East and South is not sufficient to establish that they are economically indivisible.
Nato po mnenju Nemčije trditev Komisije, v skladu s katero obstajajo funkcionalne in tehnične povezave med projektoma na vzhodu in jugu Freiberga, ne zadostuje za ugotovitev njune ekonomske nedeljivosti.
Germany concluded that the Commission’s grounds for initiating the formal investigation procedure were therefore based on a misuse of the discretionary power of the Commission accorded to it under Article 107(3) TFEU, which resulted in a disproportionate decision against the beneficiary of the aid.
Nemčija je ugotovila, da razlogi Komisije za sprožitev formalnega postopka preiskave temeljijo na nepravilni uporabi diskrecijske pravice Komisije, ki ji pripada v skladu s členom 107(3) PDEU, kar je privedlo do nesorazmerne odločitve v škodo upravičenca do pomoči.
Moreover, Germany stated that the application of the criterion ‘geographical proximity’ is inappropriate for the purpose of preventing subsidy increases, since not all language versions of footnote 55 of the RAG include the requirement that the investment sites be in ‘immediate’ geographical proximity to one another (e.g. the French version does not specify ‘immediate’ but only ‘geographical proximity’).
Poleg tega je Nemčija opozorila, da uporaba „geografske bližine“ kot merila ni primerna za preprečitev povečevanja subvencije, saj v opombi 55 smernic o regionalni pomoči ni v vseh jezikovnih različicah navedena zahteva, da morajo biti obrati v „neposredni“ geografski bližini (tako v francoski različici ni določeno, da mora biti geografska bližina „neposredna“, ampak je določena samo „geografska bližina“).
Germany argued that the criteria in footnote 55 do therefore not form a uniform legal framework for the regulation of subsidy spirals.
Nemčija je menila, da zato merila iz opombe 55 ne pomenijo enotnega pravnega okvira za ureditev subvencijskih spiral.
In view of the above, Germany concluded that the DS projects in Freiberg South and Freiberg East were not economically indivisible and were not to be considered to form a single investment project in the meaning of point 60 and footnote 55 of the RAG.
Na podlagi teh trditev je Nemčija ugotovila, da sta projekta podjetja na jugu in vzhodu Freiberga ekonomsko deljiva in ju zato ni mogoče šteti za enoten naložbeni projekt v smislu točke 60 in opombe 55 smernic o regionalni pomoči.
According to Germany, the notified aid for the Freiberg East investment was therefore not to be reduced applying the scaling down mechanism to the combined eligible investment costs of the DS projects in Freiberg South and East.
Po mnenju Nemčije zato priglašene pomoči za projekt na vzhodu Freiberga ni treba z mehanizmom zmanjšanja zmanjšati na skupne upravičene naložbene stroške projekta podjetja DS na jugu in vzhodu Freiberga.
With its initial comments, Germany also submitted updated information on the investment projects undertaken by DS in Freiberg South and East within 3 years from the start of the notified project: previously to the project P3 (extension of solar wafer production capacity from 350 to 500 MWp) in Freiberg South, another project P2 (previous extension of solar wafer production capacity from 270 to 350 MWp) had been undertaken at the same site.
Nemčija je skupaj s prejšnjimi stališči predložila tudi posodobljene informacije o naložbenem projektu, ki ga je podjetje DS na jugu in vzhodu Freiberga izvedlo od začetka priglašenega projekta: pred projektom P3 (povečanje proizvodne zmogljivosti sončnih celic v obliki rezin s 350 MWp na 500 MWp) na jugu Freiberga je bil izveden drug projekt – P2 – (prejšnje povečanje proizvodne zmogljivosti sončnih celic v obliki rezin z 270 MWp na 350 MWp) v istem obratu.
Aid had also been granted (under existing aid schemes) to this project P2.
Za ta projekt P2 so bile (na podlagi obstoječe sheme pomoči) prav tako odobrene pomoči.
Furthermore, Germany informed that the planned aid to project P3 would only be granted in the form of investment premium (based on the IZ scheme).
Nemčija je tudi sporočila, da bi bila načrtovana pomoč za projekt P3 odobrena samo kot dodatek za naložbe (na podlagi InvZulG).
Further updating information submitted to the Commission — amendment of the initial notification
Dodatne posodobljene informacije, predložene Komisiji – sprememba prejšnje priglasitve
Subsequently to its initial comments, Germany at several stages submitted updated information on the investment projects undertaken or to be undertaken by the beneficiary group in Freiberg South within a period of 3 years from the start of the notified investment project.
Nemčija je na podlagi svojih prejšnjih mnenj na različne dneve predložila posodobljene informacije o naložbenem projektu, ki ga je upravičena skupina podjetij na jugu Freiberga izvedla ali ga mora izvesti v treh letih od začetka priglašenega naložbenega projekta.
The final picture of the situation is summarised in the table below:
Dokončno stanje je predstavljeno v naslednji preglednici:
Freiberg South (P2 – P3)
Na jugu Freiberga (P2–P3)
Freiberg East
Na vzhodu Freiberga
Freiberg Saxonia
Freiberg - Saxonia
Previous projects P2 and P3, non-notifiable aid
prejšnja projekta P2 in P3, brez dolžnosti priglasitve
Notified project
priglašeni projekt
Future project
prihodnji projekt
Solar wafers
sončne celice v obliki rezin
Solar modules
sončni moduli
From 270 to 350 (P2)
med 270 in 350 (P2)
From 350 to 500 (P3)
med 350 in 500 (P3)
Summer/Autumn 2010
poletje/jesen 2010
(EUR, nominal values)
(nominalni znesek, EUR)
Aid amount
Upravičeni znesek
The main changes to the initial notification concern the withdrawal of all aid to be granted for project P3 in Freiberg South, and the reduction of the aid to be granted for the notified project in Freiberg East.
Najpomembnejše spremembe prvotne priglasitve se nanašajo na umik celotne odobrene pomoči za projekt P3 na jugu Freiberga in zmanjšanje odobrene pomoči za priglašeni projekt na vzhodu Freiberga.
Germany also committed that no aid had been or would be paid out for project P3.
Poleg tega je Nemčija zagotovila, da za projekt P3 pomoč ni ali ne bo izplačana.
Germany informed the Commission in the course of the formal investigation that, even though it did not explicitly admit that the notified project in Freiberg East would form a single investment project in the meaning of point 60 and footnote 55 of the RAG together with the projects in Freiberg South, Germany would limit the total aid granted for the combined eligible costs (EUR 402865942 in discounted value) of the three projects P2, P3 and the notified project to the maximum allowable (EUR 55749652 in discounted value – 14,06 % GGE) in a ‘single investment project’ scenario.
Nemčija je Komisiji med formalnim postopkom preiskave sporočila, da se sicer ni izrecno strinjala, da priglašeni projekt na vzhodu Freiberga in projekta na jugu Freiberga sestavljajo enoten naložbeni projekt v smislu točke 60 in opombe 55 smernic o regionalni pomoči, a bi kljub temu skupno pomoč za skupne upravičene stroške (sedanja vrednost 402865942 EUR) treh projektov (P2, P3 in priglašeni projekt) zmanjšala na največjo dovoljeno intenzivnost pomoči (sedanja vrednost 55749652 EUR 14,06 % BED), ki bi izhajala iz scenarija „enotnega naložbenega projekta“.
Additionally, Germany also included information on a future large investment project SF III by SW group in Freiberg Saxonia (setting-up of a new plant for the production of solar modules), to be started within 3 years from the start of the notified project, and announced its intention to grant aid to this project.
Dodatno je Nemčija priložila informacije o prihodnjem večjem naložbenem projektu (SF III) skupine SW v Freibergu - Saxonii (postavitev novega obrata za proizvodnjo sončnih modulov), ki bi se začel v treh letih od začetka priglašenega projekta, in sporočila namero, da bo za ta projekt odobrila pomoč.
Germany committed to notify the aid for SF III separately and make it conditional to Commission approval.
Nemčija je obljubila, da bo pomoč za projekt SF III priglasila posamično in jo pogojila z odobritvijo Komisije.
Existence of State aid in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU
Državna pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU
In its decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, the Commission concluded that the financial support to be granted by Germany to DS on the basis of existing regional aid schemes (GA scheme and IZ schemes) constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU.
Komisija je v odločitvi o sprožitvi formalnega postopka preiskave ugotovila, da je finančna pomoč, ki naj bi jo nemški organi dali podjetju DS na podlagi obstoječih predpisov o regionalni pomoči „GA“ in „InvZulG“, državna pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU.
Notification requirement, legality of the aid, and applicable law
Obveznost priglasitve, zakonitost pomoči in veljavni predpisi
By notifying the planned aid measure on 28 March 2008 before putting it into effect, Germany respected its obligations under Article 108(3) TFEU and the individual notification requirement expressed in Article 7(e) of the Block Exemption Regulation for regional aid.
Nemčija je načrtovani ukrep pomoči priglasila 28. marca 2008 – pred njegovim izvajanjem – in tako izpolnila obveznosti v skladu s členom 108(3) PDEU in obveznost posamične priglasitve v skladu s členom 7(e) Uredbe Komisije (ES) št. 1628/2006 z dne 24. oktobra 2006 o uporabi členov 87 in 88 Pogodbe pri državni regionalni pomoči za naložbe (uredba o splošnih skupinskih izjemah za regionalne pomoči).
Having established that the measure involves State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU, it is necessary to consider whether the above mentioned measure can be found compatible with the internal market.
Ko je ugotovljeno, da je priglašeni ukrep državna pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU, je treba preskusiti, ali je ta ukrep združljiv z notranjim trgom.
As the measure relates to a regional investment aid, the Commission assessed it on the basis of the RAG, and, more specifically, the provisions of section 4.3 of the RAG relating to large investment projects.
Ker se ukrep nanaša na regionalno naložbeno pomoč, ga je Komisija preskusila na podlagi smernic o regionalni pomoči (predvsem poglavja 4.3 o velikih naložbenih projektih).
Compatibility of the aid with general provisions of the RAG
Združljivost pomoči s splošnimi določbami smernic o regionalni pomoči
In its decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, the Commission indicated that the notified aid is to be granted on the basis of, and in conformity with, the provisions of block-exempted aid schemes which respect the general compatibility criteria of the RAG.
Komisija je v odločitvi o sprožitvi formalnega postopka preiskave navedla, da je treba priglašeno pomoč načelno odobriti na podlagi shem pomoči o splošnih izjemah, ki so združljive s splošnimi določbami smernic o regionalni pomoči, in v skladu z njo.
In particular, the project comprises an initial investment within the meaning of the RAG as it concerns the setting-up of a new establishment.
Poleg tega se projekt nanaša na začetno naložbo v smislu smernic o regionalni pomoči, ker predvideva postavitev novega obrata.
The costs eligible for investment aid are defined in line with the RAG, and the rules on cumulation are respected.
Upravičeni naložbeni stroški so bili opredeljeni v skladu s smernicami o regionalni pomoči, pravila o kumulaciji pa so bila upoštevana.
Furthermore, the beneficiary has applied for aid, the German authorities confirmed in writing, before DS started work on the project, that the project was eligible for aid, and agreed to grant the aid subject to the Commission’s approval.
Dalje je upravičenec do pomoči zaprosil za pomoč, Nemčija pa je pisno potrdila – preden je podjetje DS začelo izvajati projekt –, da je projekt upravičen do podpore, in obljubila, da bo pomoč odobrila s pridržkom, da jo bo potrdila Komisija.
DS has the obligation to maintain the investment in the region for a minimum of 5 years after completion of the project.
Podjetje mora naložbo v regiji po končanem projektu ohranjati najmanj pet let.
DS provides a financial contribution of at least 25 % of the eligible costs in a form which is free of any public support.
Podjetje DS plačuje lastni prispevek v vrednosti najmanj 25 % upravičenih stroškov, ki ne vsebuje pomoči.
Compatibility with the provisions for aid to large investment projects
Združljivost z določbami za pomoči za velike naložbene projekte
Single investment project and maximum aid intensity
Enoten naložbeni projekt in največja intenzivnost pomoči
Member States might be inclined to notify separate projects because treating them as separate instead of as a single investment project normally allows a higher maximum aid intensity due to the application of the automatic scaling-down mechanism (point 67 of the RAG) [15].
Države članice bi se lahko nagibale k prijavi več ločenih projektov, saj ločeni projekti navadno omogočajo večjo intenzivnost pomoči kot enoten naložbeni projekt, in sicer zaradi učinkov samodejnega mehanizma zmanjšanja (točka 67 smernic o regionalni pomoči) [15].
In the present case, the Commission opened the formal investigation based on doubts that the notified aid would exceed the maximum allowable if the project would form a single investment project with a previously subsidised project (P3) in Freiberg South.
V tem primeru je Komisija sprožila formalni postopek preiskave, ker je domnevala, da bi lahko priglašena pomoč presegla največjo dovoljeno intenzivnost, če bi bil projekt skupaj s prejšnjim odobrenim projektom (P3) na jugu Freiberga združen v enoten naložbeni projekt.
Project P3 is a follow-up project of P2 (both projects are related to subsequent extensions of the production capacity of an existing solar wafer plant from 270 to 350 MW and then from 350 to 500 MW), which is a classical example of a ‘single investment project’ scenario.
Projekt P3 je naslednik projekta P2 (oba projekta, ki se nanašata na postopno povečanje proizvodne zmogljivosti obstoječega obrata za proizvodnjo sončnih celic v obliki rezin z 270 MWp na 350 MWp in nato s 350 MWp na 500 MWp), kar je klasičen primer za scenarij „enotnega naložbenega projekta“.
Indeed, the investments are carried out within 3 years in immediate geographical proximity (within the same integrated production site of SW group in Freiberg South) and present clear technical (same product and production technology), functional (same raw material, common suppliers/customers, common services) and strategic (integrated capacity increase strategy addressing a same market) links.
Tako bosta naložbena projekta izvedena v treh letih v neposredni geografski bližini (v istem obratu skupine SW na jugu Freiberga) ter kažejo jasne tehnične (enaki izdelki in proizvodne tehnologije), funkcionalne (enake surovine, skupni dobavitelji/stranke, skupne storitve) in strateške povezave (združljiva strategija povečevanja zmogljivosti, ki je usmerjena na isti trg).
In this case, Germany withdrew all aid to project P3 and amended the notification to reduce the aid intensity for the notified project in order to limit the total aid granted for the combined eligible costs of the notified project in Freiberg East and two previous projects (P2 and P3) in Freiberg South to the maximum allowable in a ‘single investment project’ scenario (covering all projects undertaken within 3 years).
Nemčija je umaknila celotno pomoč za projekt P3 in je priglasitev spremenila v tem smislu, da je zmanjšala intenzivnost pomoči za priglašeni projekt, da bi skupno pomoč za skupne upravičene stroške priglašenega projekta na vzhodu Freiberga in obeh prejšnjih projektov (P2 in P3) na jugu Freiberga omejila na največjo dovoljeno intenzivnost za scenarij „enotnega naložbenega projekta“ (s čimer se krijejo vsi projekti, ki so se začeli v treh letih).
The Commission therefore does not need to further investigate and take a position on whether the notified project forms a single investment project with these previous projects.
Komisiji zato zadeve ni treba še naprej preverjati in odločati, ali je priglašeni projekt skupaj s temi prejšnjimi projekti enoten naložbeni projekt.
As regards the calculation of the aid, Germany agreed that projects P3 and P2 will be taken into account for the calculation of the maximum aid intensity like in a ‘single investment project’ scenario between the notified project and previous projects.
Nemčija se je strinjala, da je treba projekta P3 in P2 upoštevati pri izračunu največje intenzivnosti pomoči, tako da obračun poteka enako kot pri „enotnem naložbenem projektu“, ki ga sestavljata priglašeni projekt in oba prejšnja projekta.
Therefore, regarding the calculation of the maximum allowable aid intensity, in line with point 41 of the RAG, all eligible costs were discounted to the year of granting the first aid to project P2 (12 September 2006), using the discount rate applicable at that date (4,36 %): the total costs amount to EUR 402865942 in discounted value.
Zato so bili v skladu s točko 41 smernic o regionalni pomoči upravičeni stroški izračunani za leto odobritve prve pomoči za projekt P2 (12. september 2006) z uporabo obrestne mere, veljavne na ta dan (4,36 %): skupni stroški znašajo 402865942 EUR (sedanja vrednost).
The maximum allowable aid in discounted value in this case would be EUR 55749652 [16], corresponding to an aid intensity of 14,06 % GGE for the single investment project.
Največja dovoljena intenzivnost pomoči (sedanja vrednost) je v tem primeru znašala 55749652 EUR [16], kar je enako intenzivnosti pomoči 14,06 % BED za enoten naložbeni projekt.
As EUR 15384891 (discounted value) has already been granted (for P2), the maximum allowable aid for the notified project would be EUR 40364760 (discounted value), corresponding to an aid intensity of 12,97 % GGE.
Ker je bilo odobrenih že 15384891 EUR (sedanja vrednost) (za P2), bi največja dovoljena intenzivnost pomoči za priglašeni projekt znašala 40364760 EUR (sedanja vrednost), kar je enako intenzivnosti pomoči 12,97 % BED.
Since Germany committed to respect this maximum, it can be concluded that the scaling down rules under point 67 of the RAG are respected even in case the notified project would constitute a single investment project with previous subsidised projects within 3 years.
Ker se je Nemčija strinjala, da bo upoštevala to največjo intenzivnost, je mogoče sklepati, da so upoštevani predpisi o zmanjšanju v skladu s točko 67 smernic o regionalni pomoči celo, če je priglašeni projekt skupaj s prejšnjima projektoma, odobrenima v treh letih, enoten naložbeni projekt.
Since Germany committed to notify the aid for the mentioned future project SF III in Freiberg Saxonia separately and make it conditional to Commission approval, the Commission does not need to take a position in the present decision on whether the notified project forms a single investment project with the future project SF III.
Ker se je Nemčija zavezala, da bo pomoč za tu navedeni prihodnji projekt SF III v Freibergu - Saxonii priglasila posamično in jo pogojila z odobritvijo Komisije, Komisiji v tem sklepu ni treba ugotavljati, ali sta priglašeni projekt in prihodnji projekt SF III enoten naložbeni projekt.
Compatibility with point 68 of the RAG
Združljivost s točko 68 smernic o regionalni pomoči