Authorisation of State measure pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

(2005/C 140/09)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has decided that some of the notified measures do not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement and has further decided not to raise objections against the remaining notified measures.

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Norway

Aid No: Case 55 364

Title: Certain derogations from electricity tax

Objective: Taxation of electricity mainly used as a substitute for fuels. The electricity tax should curb increases in electricity use and stimulate the use of alternative energies. The derogations from the tax are necessary because of a loss of international competitiveness and to help companies adapt to a national tax which is higher than the minimum stipulated in Community legislation.

Legal basis: Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

Budget/Duration: Reduced electricity tax for the manufacturing, mining and quarrying industry, as well as for social works activities in so far as they use electricity for industry production in the same manner as the manufacturing/mining and quarrying industry until 2014. Regionally reduced electricity tax for Finnmark and North Troms until the end of 2006.

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregister