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Brussels/Ljubljana – The European Commission sent a letter to the Slovenian Directorate for Energy, in which it cautions, amid a dispute between the government and the regulator, the Energy Agency, regarding the new network charge calculation methodology, about the applicable EU legislation on the independence of regulators. If the government takes measures that would interfere with the independence of the Energy Agency, the Commission could initiate infringement proceedings under EU law.
Namely, the Energy Agency introduced a new network charge calculation methodology in October 2024, which places more emphasis on power calculation rather than energy flow. Consequently, bills for some business and household consumers have increased.
The government demanded that the agency re-establish the old system by January 8, which the agency did not do. Already in December 2024, the government called for the resignation of agency board members, with two members following its call. Last week, the government announced it would propose the dismissal of the remaining three, but this did not happen at the Thursday session after receiving the European Commission’s letter. The government explained that it will “take its time.”
In December 2024 and then again in January, the Energy Agency informed the European Commission about developments regarding the implementation of the new network charge calculation system in Slovenia and described the events related to attempts to interfere with the regulator’s independence. In response to the agency on Tuesday, the European Commission stated that European legislation regarding regulatory bodies is clear and sets strict rules to ensure their independence.
The leadership of the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (Acer) also wrote to the European Commission, expressing concerns about the independence of the Energy Agency. Acer emphasized that the new methodology follows their principles and guidelines. (January 15 and 16)