EC steps up infringement procedure on gas, electricity

Budapest (MTI) – The European Commission on Thursday stepped up an infringement procedure against Hungary for failing to implement directives on gas and electricity.

The EC formally requested that Hungary comply with legal provisions that include rules on the unbundling of transmission network operators from energy suppliers and producers and on strengthening the independence and powers of national regulators in a “reasoned opinion”, marking the second step in an infringement procedure.

The EC said Hungary’s gas legislation still allows the Hungarian government to determine terms and conditions for connection and access to national networks, provision of balancing services and access to cross-border infrastructures. National legislation also excludes certain types of costs from the calculation of network electricity and gas tariffs, it added.

Hungary has two months to inform the EC of remedial measures, after which time the EC may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice.

Source: MTI