OPCOM thinks of taking legal action against European Commission and ANRE

Energy exchange OPCOM might file a suit against European Commission and National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) for the fine of EUR 1 million on the grounds of having abused its dominant position on the national market of electricity spot transactions, thus infringing the EU competition norms. The statement has been made by Victor Ionescu, the general manager of OPCOM.

2014-03-11 11:49:41

According to the manager, the decision of fining OPCOM and Transelectrica has been incorrect. "We currently analyze at corporative level to file a suit against European Commission and ANRE which, as regulator, controls the OPCOM activity," said Ionescu within a press conference.

Last week, The European Commission fined the Romanian electricity and gas market operator OPCOM with EUR 1 million for abusing its dominant position on the national market of electricity spot transactions, thus infringing the EU competition norms, according to an EC release published this week in Brussels, quoted by Agerpres.

"The energy exchanges are indispensable for the efficient operation of electricity markets, in the consumer interest. OPCOM abusive behavior prevented EU traders from entering the spot markets of the Romanian electricity exchange, thus placing an artificial barrier at the entrance, which represents an infringement of the EU competition norms. National barriers of this type not only prevent the realization of a single energy market; they also obstruct the development of efficient and liquid markets," the European Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia declared.