Brussels, 23/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 23 April 2009, the European Commission decided to open formal proceedings with respect to the behaviour of Svenska Kraftnät (SvK), the Swedish electricity Transmission System Operator (TSO), for possible breaches of the EU Treaty´s antitrust rules on abuse of a dominant market position.
The Commission says it has reason to believe that Svenska Kraftnät (SvK) may abuse its powers as the holder of a monopoly in Sweden for the supply of electricity transport services by restricting the amount of export transmission capacity available on electricity interconnectors situated along Sweden's borders and thereby hindering the smooth operation of the single market for electricity in the EU.
SvK contends that export curtailments are necessary to alleviate internal congestion and bottlenecks in its electricity distribution network. However, the Commission has doubts that export restrictions are the least restrictive means to relieve any such congestion. Information available to the Commission seems to indicate that there are alternative ways of managing such congestion problems that would be compatible with the single market and respect EU antitrust rules. (O.L./transl.fl)