Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 26 September 2024. AZ and Federal Republic of Germany v European Commission.

Provisional text

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Third Chamber)

26 September 2024 (*)

( Appeal – State aid – Aid scheme implemented by the Federal Republic of Germany in favour of large electricity consumers – Exemption from network charges in 2012 and 2013 – Decision declaring the aid scheme incompatible with the internal market – Action for annulment – Time limit for bringing proceedings – Admissibility – Article 107(1) TFEU – Concept of ‘State aid’ – State resources – Parafiscal charge or other compulsory surcharges )

In Joined Cases C‑792/21 P and C‑793/21 P,

TWO APPEALS under Article 56 of the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union, lodged on 16 December 2021,

AZ, represented by D. Fouquet, T. Hartmann, M. Kachel, J. Panknin and R. Wilde, Rechtsanwälte,

appellant in Case C‑792/21 P,

the other parties to the proceedings being:

European Commission, represented initially by K. Herrmann, C. Kovács and T. Maxian Rusche, acting as Agents, and by C. von Donat and G. Quardt, Rechtsanwälte, and subsequently by K. Herrmann, C. Kovács and T. Maxian Rusche, acting as Agents,

defendant at first instance,

Federal Republic of Germany, represented by J. Möller and R. Kanitz, acting as Agents,

intervener at first instance,

and

Federal Republic of Germany, represented by J. Möller and R. Kanitz, acting as Agents,

appellant in Case C-793/21 P,

the other parties to the proceedings being:

AZ, represented by D. Fouquet, T. Hartmann, M. Kachel, J. Panknin and R. Wilde, Rechtsanwälte,

applicant at first instance,

European Commission, represented by K. Herrmann, C. Kovács and T. Maxian Rusche, acting as Agents,

defendant at first instance,

THE COURT (Third Chamber),

composed of K. Jürimäe (Rapporteur), President of the Chamber, K. Lenaerts, President of the Court, acting as Judge of the Third Chamber, N. Piçarra, N. Jääskinen and M. Gavalec, Judges,

Advocate General: L. Medina,

Registrar: D. Dittert, Head of Unit,