PRESS RELEASE

(Bucharest, March 5, 2014)

Today, OPCOM was informed about the European Commission’s decision to impose a joint fine on OPCOM and Transelectrica, on the grounds that, in the Commission’s view, they committed a breach of Article 102 of the TFEU by requesting traders from the EU wishing to participate in the Romanian day-ahead and intra-day electricity markets to register for VAT purposes in Romania.
Finalisation of the training period is proving favourable premises for a successful market launching.
OPCOM considers that the European Commission`s decision to press ahead with this case was motivated by reasons unrelated to antitrust policy, especially given that the alleged “conduct” in question produced no negative effects for consumers on the European market. OPCOM is currently analysing its manner of response to the European Commission`s decision, including a possible appeal of the decision to the General Court of the European Union.
We would like to assure all participants in the administered markets as well as all interested parties that the trading processes are not affected by this Decision, our effort being directed towards increasing the efficacy and the efficiency of all trading mechanisms in the centralized markets and assuring the complete conformity with the legislative provisions and of a superior level of quality for all services provided towards the participants.

PRESS RELEASE 5.3.2014