December infringement package – key decisions on energy

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

In the list of December infringements, there is one energy-related letter of formal notice. 

Governance Regulation: Commission calls on BULGARIA, AUSTRIA and POLAND to submit draft updated National Energy and Climate Plans for the period 2021-2030
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria (INFR(2023)2166), Austria (INFR(2023)2172) and Poland (INFR(2023)2167) for failing to submit by 30 June 2023 a draft update of their integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for the period 2021-2030 under article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are crucial tools for ensuring that the EU is on track for achieving its 2030 energy and climate targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, renewable energy and energy efficiency and to design appropriate underpinning policies. Under the Governance Regulation, all Member States were required to submit to the Commission a draft update of their NECP by 30 June 2023. The three Member States that have not yet submitted their draft updates now have two months to reply and address the shortcomings identified by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion. 

For more information on the EU infringement procedure, see the full press release and Q&A. For more detail on the history of a case, you can consult the infringement decisions' register.