Brussels, 22/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 22 July, the European Commission sent France a reasoned opinion asking it to properly implement EU Directive 2009/72/EC on electricity.
The Directive is part of the Third Energy Package and contains key provisions to allow energy markets to function properly, including rules on the unbundling of transmission system operators from energy suppliers and producers, on strengthening the independence and the powers of national regulators and on the improved functioning of retail markets to the benefit of consumers.
The Commission found that French legislation prevents undertakings other than the national incumbent system operator for electricity from building and operating interconnectors to other EU Member States.
A letter of formal notice was sent to France in February 2015, but the Commission says that compliance with EU law is still not in place. France has two months to inform the Commission of the measures taken to remedy the situation and avoid being sent to the European Court of Justice. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)