Brussels, 12/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - Electricity supply contracts signed by the state-owned Romanian electricity producer Hidroelectrica with certain electricity traders and industrial customers did not involve state aid within the meaning of the EU rules, ruled the European Commission on Friday 12 June.
Following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission found that Hidroelectrica charged prices that were fully in line with the benchmark market price to nine customers (including ArcelorMittal) and that the Romanian state cannot be held responsible for prices that were lower than the market rate. The Commission therefore concluded that none of the sale contracts under examination involved state aid. (Mathieu Bion)