This dissertation was written as a part of the Msc in Energy Law, Business, Regulation and Policy, at International Hellenic University and deals with the complex issue of state aid in the energy sector. More specifically, in recent years the need for measures to protect the environment, necessitated the intervention of the state in the energy sector variously. Special attention in order to meet the European Union its global requirements has been given to the production of electricity from renewable energy, for which the state aids are particularly important due to the large production costs. A whole legislative system have been configured by Member States around the support schemes for the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources, which at the same time attempt to keep up with the primary objective of the European Union, namely the integration of the common market. The FIT schemes are not only the most widespread national support schemes but also have been particularly addressed by the European Court mainly after 2001 and the landmark ruling of PreussenElektra. However, even after several years the European Court insists on maintaining the confusing results of PreussenElektra, forming a retrograde approach regarding the FIT schemes and other support mechanisms in conjunction with article 107 (1) TFEU. Comparing PreussenElektra with Vent de Colère, considered by the ECJ recently, will be given the answer to the fundamental question of whether and to what extent there were developments in the way that the case law approaches the FIT schemes in relation with art. 107(1) TFEU and why their design (based on PreussenElektra) deviated from the completion of the internal market. All that remains is to examine whether the new Guidelines could be the solution to the problems created by PreussenElektra.
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