-- Europe has stepped up legal action against several member states over failures to implement key energy laws, including new electricity market reforms and renewable energy rules, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
The Commission, in its latest monthly infringement package, issued reasoned opinions to Croatia, Poland, and Portugal for failing to fully transpose updated EU electricity market design rules into national law.
The reforms are intended to make power prices more stable and less tied to volatile fossil fuel costs, while strengthening consumer protections and expanding contract choices.
EU countries were required to implement the rules by Jan. 17, 2025, with some provisions extending to mid-2026.
The bloc said Croatia, Poland, and Portugal have two months to respond or risk referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union, potentially facing financial penalties.
The Commission also sent a reasoned opinion to Hungary over breaches of EU rules prohibiting intra-EU investor-state arbitration.
The case relates to actions by Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Group, which sought to enforce an arbitral award and initiated new arbitration proceedings under the Energy Charter Treaty.
The EU's executive body said such actions contravene the bloc's laws as clarified by the EU court's Komstroy ruling, which bars such disputes between member states. Hungary has two months to comply or face possible referral to the EU court.
Meanwhile, the Commission referred Greece, Malta, and Portugal to the Court of Justice for failing to fully implement updated renewable energy rules.
The legislation is designed to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy across sectors, including transport, industry and buildings, while supporting the bloc's climate goals and reducing reliance on imported fuels.
The three countries had already received formal notices and reasoned opinions in 2025, but failed to adequately address the concerns, the Commission said. It is now seeking financial sanctions.