L 319/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 11.12.1999 COMMISSION DECISION of 8 July 1999 concerning the application of the Netherlands for a transitional regime under Article 24 of Directive 96/92[EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity (notified under document number C(1999) 1551/6) (Only the Dutch text is authentic) (1999/796/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Directive 96/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 1996 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity (1), and in particular Article 24 thereof, Having informed the Member States of the application made by the Netherlands, Whereas: I. FACTS 1. Procedure (1) By letter of 20 February 1998, the Dutch Permanent Representation sent its provisional notification of transitional regimes under Article 24 of Directive 96/92/EC to the Commission. On 29 May, the Commission's services undertook a fact-finding mission to the Ministerie van Economische Zaken in The Hague. The Commission asked for additional information regarding some elements of the notification, which it received by letter of 22 June. (2) By letter of 16 October, the Dutch Permanent Representation sent further information regarding the notification of transitional regimes. () OJ L 27, 30.1.1997, p. 20. 2. Structure and development of the electricity sector in the Netherlands (@) Generation There are four electricity producers in the Netherlands: EPON — NV Elektriciteits-Productiemaatschappij Oost- en Noord-Nederland EPZ — NV Elektriciteits-Productiemaatschappij Zuid- Nederland EZH — NV Elektriciteitsbedrijf Zuid-Holland UNA — NV Energieproductiebedrijf UNA. They generate around 70% of domestic electricity demand. The remaining 30% is imported (around 13 %) or supplied by independent producers or autoproducers. The four production companies coordinate their activities to a  certain  extent through  SEP (Samenwerkende  Elektriciteits-Produktiebedrijven  NV), owner of the national high-voltage grid and the legal person responsible for all electricity imports until 1 January 1999. SEP is responsible for the management of Dodewaard nuclear power plant (currently being decommissioned) and of Demkolec, a coal gasification plant, and for the international commitments referred to in point 4.1, recital 12. The four production companies and SEP are parties to a cooperation agreement (Overeenkomst van Samenwerking, hereinafter ‘OvS’). The production companies are in turn owned as follows: EPON — distribution companies EPZ — distribution companies