AS1262 - The ICA and the Regulatory Authority for Electricity before the Government and Parliament: “Calls for tenders for the distribution of gas need to be accelerated”
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
THE ICA AND THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR ELECTRICITY BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT: “CALLS FOR TENDERS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF GAS NEED TO BE ACCELERATED”
Taking into consideration the current procedures for carrying out calls for tenders related to the appointment of natural gas distribution pursuant to the model provided by Ambiti Territoriali Ottimali (ATEM – Local Authority Boards), the Regulatory Authority for Electricity, Gas and Water and the Italian Competition Authority reported several issues to the Government and the Parliament. In fact, the Authorities deem that the full reform of the sector and true competition as provided for by law are hindered by a series of obstacles.
In the light of the further deferments for implementing the mentioned competitive procedures – introduced with Law no. 21 of 15 February 2016, which converted the so-called “decreto milleproroghe” – both Authorities highlighted the various criticalities that have caused serious delays in carrying out calls for tenders. Through their respective reports 86/2016/I/GAS and S2470, the Authorities indicated several regulatory interventions necessary for accelerating the reform of the system related to the appointment of gas distribution contracts.
Specifically, in order to guarantee an absolute and rigorous compliance with the new timing, as well as to maximise participation in calls for tenders and their legal carrying out, and to minimize possible litigations, the Authorities proposed a series of measures. The latter’s aims are as follows: to rationalize and simplify procedures; to reintroduce sanctions in case of non-compliance with the timing provided for the publication of calls for tenders; to remove several unjustified barriers for participating in the procedures.
The regulatory interventions identified aim at protecting the final consumers’ interests by controlling costs that will be acknowledged in tariff. Therefore, the firm spur is to carry out calls for tenders in conditions of transparency and competition.
Rome, 11 March 2016