The
European Commission opened on March 19 a formal investigation to assess whether
German grid operator TenneT’s limitation of capacity from Western Denmark into
Germany breaches EU antitrust rules, the EU’s competition chief said.
“Energy
should flow freely in Europe so that the electricity produced by a windmill in
one country can reach the consumers in another,” said Competition Policy
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. “Our investigation into TenneT is part of our
efforts to ensure that electricity grid operators do not unjustifiably restrict
the free flow of electricity between Member States, to the detriment of
European energy consumers. Ensuring that electricity interconnectors remain
fully open to cross-border trade is essential to achieve our overall objective
of an efficient, sustainable and competitive energy market,” she added.
According
to the Commission, the investigation will focus on indications that TenneT may
be reducing the amount of transmission capacity available on the electricity
interconnector at the border between Western Denmark and Germany.
If proven,
this behaviour may breach EU antitrust rules, specifically on the abuse of a
dominant market position, as it would amount to discrimination against
non-German electricity producers and to a segmentation of the Single Market for
energy, the Commission said.
On March
19, the EC also sent to TenneT its preliminary assessment setting out in
further detail its competition concerns. The Commission and TenneT are engaged
in constructive discussions on commitments to address those concerns.
The
investigation into TenneT complements the Commission’s effort to address the
systematic limitation of cross-border capacity on electricity interconnectors
across the EU. An opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its
outcome.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-probes-german-grid-operator-limiting-capacity-denmark/