Opening up energy markets

Agreement on bill to loosen big companies’ grip on energy markets. The draft law would require utilities to separate – or unbundle – the distribution of electricity and gas from production. The goal is to encourage competition and more energy exchanges between EU countries. Currently pipelines, transmission lines and power stations are often controlled by one company. This makes it hard for small businesses to get a foothold and for cross-border networks to develop. Most EU governments agree that unbundling can lower costs and give consumers more choice . Since July 2007, all EU households have been free to pick a gas and electricity supplier but their choice is still often limited by one company’s domination of their region. The agreement reached by the energy ministers of all EU countries on 10 October would give companies... [read full story]