State Aid Law Blog

State Aid Uncovered Blog

In Lexxion’s State Aid Uncovered blog, Prof. Phedon Nicolaides publishes weekly critical analyses of recent State aid judgments and decisions. Each post presents the key points of a court judgment or EU Commission decision, places it in the context of similar case law or practice, assesses the underlying reasoning and highlights any inconsistencies or contradictions.

Guest contributions from other State aid experts will also be published on the blog at irregular intervals to complement the content of the blog posts.

- Article 107(3)(c) TFEU ×

12. April 2022 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A First Commission Decision on Natural Gas Storage

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 1

Compensation that guarantees a normal or fair rate of return eliminates risk that is inherent in market transactions and therefore confers an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU. Introduction On 23 March 2022, the European Commission announced plans to mitigate the spike in energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine. Chief among those plans were proposals for […]

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27. October 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Common European Interest and the Environmental Impact of State Aid: The Case of Nuclear Power

State Aid Blogs - nuclear power plant 4535761 1920

I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier version. The possible negative impact of State aid on the environmental is taken into account when the aid measure violates directly the relevant EU law. The Commission protects the interests of other Member States by ensuring that the negative effects of State aid are kept to the minimum possible. […]

No Comments

24. March 2015 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Loans for SMEs

State Aid Blogs - m 17 2

Low-interest loans may be used to support investments. The granting of de minimis aid through loans is possible only if loans are secured against collateral. The 2008 Commission Communication on interest rates does not apply to subordinated, non-collateralised loans. Introduction “Investment for growth” is the slogan which seems to be on everybody’s lips in Brussels. Last Friday, the European […]

No Comments

- Article 107(3)(c) TFEU ×

12. April 2022 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A First Commission Decision on Natural Gas Storage

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 1

Compensation that guarantees a normal or fair rate of return eliminates risk that is inherent in market transactions and therefore confers an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU. Introduction On 23 March 2022, the European Commission announced plans to mitigate the spike in energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine. Chief among those plans were proposals for […]

No Comments

27. October 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Common European Interest and the Environmental Impact of State Aid: The Case of Nuclear Power

State Aid Blogs - nuclear power plant 4535761 1920

I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier version. The possible negative impact of State aid on the environmental is taken into account when the aid measure violates directly the relevant EU law. The Commission protects the interests of other Member States by ensuring that the negative effects of State aid are kept to the minimum possible. […]

No Comments

24. March 2015 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Loans for SMEs

State Aid Blogs - m 17 2

Low-interest loans may be used to support investments. The granting of de minimis aid through loans is possible only if loans are secured against collateral. The 2008 Commission Communication on interest rates does not apply to subordinated, non-collateralised loans. Introduction “Investment for growth” is the slogan which seems to be on everybody’s lips in Brussels. Last Friday, the European […]

No Comments

- Article 107(3)(c) TFEU ×

12. April 2022 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

A First Commission Decision on Natural Gas Storage

State Aid Blogs - State Aid Uncovered SM posts 1

Compensation that guarantees a normal or fair rate of return eliminates risk that is inherent in market transactions and therefore confers an advantage in the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU. Introduction On 23 March 2022, the European Commission announced plans to mitigate the spike in energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine. Chief among those plans were proposals for […]

No Comments

27. October 2020 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

The Common European Interest and the Environmental Impact of State Aid: The Case of Nuclear Power

State Aid Blogs - nuclear power plant 4535761 1920

I am grateful to Peter Staviczky for comments on an earlier version. The possible negative impact of State aid on the environmental is taken into account when the aid measure violates directly the relevant EU law. The Commission protects the interests of other Member States by ensuring that the negative effects of State aid are kept to the minimum possible. […]

No Comments

24. March 2015 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides

Loans for SMEs

State Aid Blogs - m 17 2

Low-interest loans may be used to support investments. The granting of de minimis aid through loans is possible only if loans are secured against collateral. The 2008 Commission Communication on interest rates does not apply to subordinated, non-collateralised loans. Introduction “Investment for growth” is the slogan which seems to be on everybody’s lips in Brussels. Last Friday, the European […]

No Comments

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