site.btaEC Opens Infringement Procedure Against Bulgaria for Failure to Transpose New Electricity Market Design Rules

The European Commission Thursday said it had decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Bulgaria and 25 other Member States (Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden) for failing to fully transpose into national law some of the rules on electricity prices.

Member States had to notify the transposition of rules improving the Union's electricity market design by 17 January 2025, except for provisions on free choice of supplier and energy sharing, for which they have until 17 July 2026. The implementation of the legislation is key to ensure that European consumers face energy costs that are more reflective of the cheaper production costs of renewables, and that the prices are more predictable. The reformed electricity market design also allows for better consumer protection, both in terms of wider choice at the signature of contracts as well as in case of disconnection, the Commission said.

The 26 Member States now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify their measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.