Brussels, 13/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 12 June, the European Commission approved, subject to certain conditions, state aid contained within regulated electricity tariffs in France (“ green” and “yellow” for companies, transitional market adjustment tariffs that applied but which have now been repealed). The “blue” tariffs for consumers are not affected by the decision. On completion of an in-depth investigation opened in June 2007, the Commission concluded that the aid contained in these tariffs was compatible with the internal market on certain conditions: - the introduction of regulated access for competitors to nuclear power from EDF's existing nuclear power stations (the "”ARENH” scheme) up to a ceiling of 100 terawatt hours, maintenance of the ARENH price at its current level of €42 per MWh pending Commission approval of a methodology to be proposed by France for setting the price, and a gradual shift to cost-based pricing every year after summer 2012 until the “green” and “yellow” standard prices are completely eliminated at the end of 2015. The Commission concluded that, managed in this way, the tariffs were compatible with the internal market because, given EDF's leading position on the French energy market, the aid that was provided through regulated tariffs could play a transitional role in limiting the market power of the incumbent operator. The gradual rise in the tariffs based on underlying supply costs, leading to the elimination of regulated tariffs, together with the sourcing opportunities for alternative suppliers under the ARENH arrangements, should promote real competition and give businesses a real choice. (FG/transl.fl)