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Under the Euro Medium Term Note Programme ... - Finance - EDF

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Risk Factors<br />

and critical infrastructure will not become more restrictive, which could generate additional<br />

investments or costs for <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group.<br />

Any one of <strong>the</strong>se events may have material, negative consequences on <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group’s<br />

image, activities, results and financial position.<br />

A significant share of <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group’s revenue is generated from activities subject to<br />

regulated rates, and changes in such rates may have an impact on <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group’s<br />

results<br />

In France, a significant share of <strong>EDF</strong> Group’s revenue depends on regulated rates that are<br />

set by <strong>the</strong> public and/or regulatory authorities (integrated regulated sale rates and TURPE).<br />

This method of setting rates with <strong>the</strong> participation of regulatory authorities also applies in<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r countries where <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group operates.<br />

The public and regulatory authorities may decide to limit or block rate increases, yet require<br />

quality of service to remain unchanged. These authorities may also change <strong>the</strong> conditions of<br />

access for such regulated rates. For example, <strong>the</strong> NOME law of 7 December 2010 grants<br />

suppliers in competition with <strong>EDF</strong> access to ARENH at an initial price set at €40/MWh on 1<br />

July 2011, <strong>the</strong>n €42/MWh on 1 January 2012, by <strong>the</strong> Ministers in charge of <strong>the</strong> economy and<br />

energy portfolios, but <strong>the</strong> mechanisms governing <strong>the</strong>se price changes are still subject to<br />

uncertainties. The NOME law also provides that medium and large businesses will cease<br />

benefiting from <strong>the</strong> regulated rates as from 1 January 2016, but individuals and professional<br />

businesses will continue to qualify. Individuals and professional business customers will be<br />

allowed to change between market-based offers and regulated rates for an indefinite time,<br />

but medium and large businesses will be entitled to do so only until 31 December 2015.<br />

The <strong>EDF</strong> Group cannot guarantee that <strong>the</strong> statutes and regulations concerning such<br />

reversibility rights will not be extended beyond what is currently anticipated, or that o<strong>the</strong>r rate<br />

systems will not be adopted. The <strong>EDF</strong> Group also cannot guarantee that <strong>the</strong> regulated or<br />

purchase rates will always be set at a level which would allow it to maintain its short-,<br />

medium- or long-term investment capacity or its property interests, while ensuring a fair<br />

return on <strong>the</strong> capital invested by <strong>the</strong> <strong>EDF</strong> Group in its generation, transmission and supply<br />

assets.<br />

<strong>EDF</strong> has certain obligations, in particular public service obligations, that are<br />

remunerated by mechanisms that may not provide complete compensation for<br />

additional costs incurred in connection with such obligations, or that are subject to<br />

change<br />

The public service contract entered into by <strong>the</strong> French government and <strong>EDF</strong> on 24 October<br />

2005 specifies <strong>the</strong> objectives and terms for performing <strong>the</strong> public service obligations that<br />

<strong>EDF</strong> is appointed to perform under Article 2 of law nº 2000-108 of 10 February 2000, and<br />

also sets out <strong>the</strong> mechanisms under which <strong>EDF</strong> is compensated for <strong>the</strong> performance of<br />

<strong>the</strong>se obligations.<br />

<strong>EDF</strong> cannot be sure that <strong>the</strong> compensation mechanisms provided in <strong>the</strong> laws and regulations<br />

applicable to it regarding remuneration for <strong>the</strong>se public service obligations and <strong>the</strong> adoption<br />

of regulated rates will fully compensate additional costs incurred to perform such obligations<br />

and/or adopt such rates. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>EDF</strong> cannot guarantee that <strong>the</strong>se compensation<br />

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