Brussels Says Romania's Hidroelectrica Power Deals Do Not Involve State Aid

The European Commission said on Friday ithas concluded that electricity supply contracts signed by the state-owned Romanian hydropower producerHidroelectrica with certain electricity traders and industrial customers did not involve state aid within the meaning of the EU rules.

The Commission found that the contracts were either concluded on market terms or, where tariffs were below market level, that the Romanian state could not be held responsible for the tariffs granted, it said in a statement.

The analysis revealed that Hidroelectrica charged prices that were fully in line with the benchmark market price to nine customers -ArcelorMittal, Alro, Alpiq RomEnergie, Alpiq RomIndustries, EFT, Electrica, Electromagnetica, Energy Holding andEuro-Pec.

The prices charged to Luxten-Lighting, Electrocarbon and Elsid were lower than the benchmark market price, butthe decision to grant favourable conditions to these relatively minor private players cannot be attributed to the Romanian authorities, the statement added.

Source: SeeNews