According to documents from Brussels, obtained by Fin.ro, European Commission carries out an investigation into bilateral contracts for the supply of electricity from hydroelectric ArcelorMittal Galati and Alro Slatina.
Romania may be subject to infringement procedures for granting illegal state aid. The EU executive has triggered this investigation following a complaint. In mid June 2011, Mr Bogdan Chiritoiu chairman of the Competition Council met in Brussels with Mr Italianer Alexander director general of DG Competition and other officials of the directorate, one of the topics covered are contracts between two private companies and Hidroelectrica.
Romanian authorities have already sent the Commission information required for investigation. Position the authorities in Bucharest is charged Hidroelectrica discounts in the two contracts had in mind two things stability and long time contracts. In its analysis, the Commission is considering matters concerning the regulation of energy prices on the market in Romania and who should be the percentage reduction in energy prices in such cases, to fit into a logical trade without involving elements State aid.
In January 2011, Mr Bogdan Chiritoiu said Mittal deal of Hidroelectrica and raise doubts concerning the existence of State aid and risk the fines for violation of the Romanian state of the EU Accession Treaty. The company also ArcelorMittal could be forced to return this payment and risk being sued by competitors on the market.
Factories Alro Slatina and those of ArcelorMittal consumed 26.9% of the energy produced Hidroelectrica last year, namely 4.8 TWh. Electricity was acquired following the conclusion of contracts that specify prices well below the market. Thus, Alro, the largest industrial consumer of power in the country in 2010 contracted amount of 3.1 TWh for which it paid 358.8 million. Price for one MWh was ROL 112.3.
Alro total gain was ROL 132 million. The contract with Hidroelectrica will run until 2018, and current price quote will depend on aluminum for the London Stock Exchange. Alro is controlled by Russian businessman Mr Vitaly Matsitski. Unlike factory in Slatina, ArcelorMittal appealed to OPCOM, but the maneuver was a well planned strategy.
In 2009, in December, ArcelorMittal has applied power at a price of ROL 130 per MWh, and only was able to meet Hidroelectrica. 1.7 TWh ArcelorMittal bought and paid ROL 226.2 million. At the end of 2010, the movement of the OPCOM request was repeated with the same and only offer possible.
(Sourced from www.fin.ro)
