UK calls for rapid and tangible progress on EU's internal energy market

                                                                                         

The UK Government today called on all EU Member States to redouble their efforts to further develop the EU's internal energy market at a meeting of energy Ministers from across the EU in Brussels.
The UK welcomed the excellent progress made by the Portuguese Presidency on the package of proposals put forward by the European Commission in September and emphasised the importance of reaching agreement as quickly as possible to ensure that consumers across the EU can enjoy the benefits of full market unbundling. Following the meeting, UK Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said:

"We have long argued for Europe's energy markets to be opened up to the sort of fair competition that we take for granted in the UK. Our own experience has shown that where there has been proper unbundling, prices fall and investment increases. "Effective market liberalisation will help us to achieve our shared objectives of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply. We must make rapid and tangible progress in the coming months so that we fulfil the great expectations of European consumers and industry without delay". Leaders from across the EU called for full energy market liberalisation in Europe at their Spring meeting earlier this year.

They made clear that this should be achieved through the effective separation of supply and production activities from network operations; further harmonisation of the powers and strengthening of the independence of regulators; and an independent mechanism for national regulators to cooperate. Member States have reached a broad measure of agreement on a number of the important issues in the Commission's proposals. However, the most contentious issue remains the question of unbundling. While a significant number of Member States agree with the Commission's overall approach, requiring ownership unbundling or - as the second best solution - an Independent System Operator, some remain to be convinced. The UK would remind those Member States that if they wish to propose a third option, it must be consistent with the criteria set by the Spring Council.
The UK strongly supports the Slovenian Presidency in its ambition to achieve political agreement between Ministers by next June. To do so, we must make tangible progress at the next meeting of energy ministers in February 2008 and at the Spring European Council in March.

About the author:
Velimir Lackovic runs internet portal "Energetika" ( http://www.energetika.co.yu )
dedicated to renewable energy sources,oil gas and energy efficiency. Velimir has
completed gratuadte studies in power systems engineering and
has industry experiance of over 20 years in this field.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com