Despite February ruling, EU could again question funding for Germany’s security standby of lignite plants

The European Commission had approved, in a February state aid ruling, Germany’s security standby of lignite plants scheme, and said that future rules on the design of the EU electricity market would not influence this ruling. The Commission now says this safeguard clause was “a mistake” that will soon be rectified, which could mean renewed state aid examination of funding for Germany’s security standby, writes Frédéric Simon in an article for EurActiv. “The state aid decisions will not shelter member states or companies from any future changes in legislation,” said Christof Schoser, deputy head of unit at the Commission’s competition directorate in charge of state aid controls.

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