The European Commission is looking at the French tax decreases granted to the large energy consumers and consulting other interested parties on the matter. The tax reductions have been granted to reduce the amount of the renewable energy surcharges originally added to raise funds for onshore wind power. Consumers must pay a standard amount on their energy bills referred to as CSPE.

The European Commission is concerned about any tax reduction that may distort competition and may mean that there is no level playing field in a particular industry. The French government has capped the amount paid by industrial companies with energy consumption of at least 7 GWh per year. Their contribution is capped at 0.5 percent of their annual value added.

The Commission is looking at the possibility that this concession to large consumers of energy distorts competition in the single market. Such tax concessions were not provided for in the 2008 Guidelines on Environmental Aid that apply to this area. There may thereof be conflict with the state aid rules in the EU.