“The European Commission has today announced the initiation of infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to 26 member states,” including Portugal, “for failing to fully transpose into national law certain provisions” of the directive concerning the improvement of the EU’s electricity market design, the institution confirmed in a statement.
The EU’s 27 countries were required to notify the transposition of the directive by January 17, 2025, except for provisions related to free supplier choice and energy sharing, for which they have until July 17, 2026, the Commission stated, noting that only Denmark had complied within the legal timeframe.
“Consequently, the Commission is sending letters of formal notice to the other 26 member states. They now have two months to respond, complete the transposition, and notify their measures to the Commission, and should their response be unsatisfactory, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion,” the institution warned.
The new rules, adopted by the EU in response to rising energy prices particularly following the 2022 energy crisis, aim to make electricity prices for consumers more stable and less dependent on fossil fuel prices.
According to Brussels, the implementation of the legislation is crucial to ensuring European consumers—both households and businesses—face energy costs that reflect cheaper renewable production values and more predictable prices.
The reform of the European electricity market design also provides better consumer protection, both in terms of a wider choice of contracts and in the event of disconnection, the statement highlighted.
