CNMC Change 2026: Salas i Prat's Departure and What It Means for Regulated Sectors

Key data

The composition of the Board of the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has just changed. Royal Decree 620/2026, published in the BOE on July 22, 2026, formalizes the departure of Josep María Salas i Prat as CNMC Advisor, effective July 21, 2026. The reason is the natural expiration of his term, in accordance with article 23.1.b) of Law 3/2013, the regulation governing the creation and operation of the CNMC.

For companies operating in sectors regulated by the CNMC—energy, telecommunications, transport and competition—any change in the composition of the Board deserves attention. Advisors participate directly in decisions on tariffs, authorizations, enforcement proceedings and competition resolutions. A vacancy opens a period of uncertainty until the new appointment is completed.

What does this regulation establish?

Royal Decree 620/2026 is an administrative act of departure. Its content is precise and limited: it formalizes Salas i Prat's exit from the CNMC Board once his legal term is exhausted. It does not introduce changes to the CNMC's organizational structure or modify its powers.

The key regulatory elements are as follows:

The Law 3/2013, of June 4, on the creation of the CNMC, establishes that advisors are appointed by the Government for a fixed, non-renewable period. When that period expires, the departure is automatic and the position must be filled again through a formal selection and appointment process.

Economic and operational impact

The departure itself does not generate direct costs for companies. However, the change in the composition of the CNMC Board has operational and strategic implications that are worth considering:

• Possible regulatory reorientation: Each advisor brings a different technical profile and regulatory sensitivity. A new appointment may modify the weight of certain positions in resolutions on energy, telecommunications or competition.
• Ongoing proceedings: If your company has open procedures before the CNMC—inspections, authorizations, appeals, enforcement proceedings—the change in Board composition may influence timelines and the direction of resolutions.
• Vacancy period: Until the new advisor is appointed, the Board operates with one fewer member. This may slow down collegial decision-making in matters requiring reinforced quorum.
• Positioning opportunity: The appointment process for the replacement is public. Sector associations and major operators typically use this moment to convey their regulatory positions to the incoming advisor.

Who does it affect?

• Energy sector companies (utilities, gas companies, renewables) supervised by the CNMC on access tariffs, regulated returns and authorizations.
• Telecommunications operators subject to wholesale market regulation, access obligations and conflict resolution before the CNMC.
• Transport sector companies (rail, air, port) with active regulatory proceedings or procedures.
• Companies in competition proceedings: concentrations, cartels, abuse of dominant position or state aid with open proceedings at the CNMC.
• Legal advisors and regulatory consultants managing relationships with the CNMC on behalf of their clients.
• CFOs and executives of business groups with activity in regulated sectors who must anticipate possible changes in regulatory criteria.

Practical example

An electricity retailer has an open tariff review proceeding before the CNMC for the past six months. The Board must vote on the resolution in the coming two months. With the vacancy created by Salas i Prat's departure, the Board temporarily operates with one fewer member, which may affect the quorum required to adopt certain resolutions or delay the vote until the position is filled.

Additionally, if the profile of the newly appointed advisor has greater sensitivity toward consumer protection versus operators, the company will need to prepare its arguments with that approach in mind. Monitoring the appointment process—who the candidate is, what background they have, what positions they have defended—is a low-cost, high-value regulatory intelligence action.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you have active proceedings before the CNMC: Review with your legal advisor whether there are open procedures (authorizations, appeals, inspections, competition proceedings) that may be affected by the change in Board composition.
2. Monitor the appointment process for the new advisor: The Government must initiate the appointment process provided for in Law 3/2013. Follow BOE and CNMC news to learn who will fill the vacancy and what their regulatory profile is.
3. Assess the impact on your sector: If you operate in energy or telecommunications, analyze with your regulatory team whether the change may affect resolution criteria in the coming months.
4. Update your stakeholder map at the CNMC: With a new Board composition, update the contacts and institutional relationships relevant to your company.
5. Take advantage of the transition period for positioning: If you represent a sector association or a relevant operator, this is the time to convey your regulatory positions before the new advisor consolidates their criteria.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15953