The liberalisation of electricity and natural gas in the European Union

Abstract:

In the last decade there has been a major restructuring of the European electricity and natural gas markets in the European Union. These sectors had for some time been public or private monopolies. Since the early 1990s there have been various market opening reforms introduced through EU Directives. Challenges presented by this process include the break-up of the old monopolies and the introduction of competition, the continuing of public service obligations, and the maintenance of environmental protection.

This book has four sections that examine in detail the challenges arising from the liberalisation of the electricity and natural gas markets in the EU. Part 1 has two chapters that examine competition law issues. The first provides an overview and examines issues such as co-operation between former monopolists, and also restrictions on the freedom of the consumer to choose a supplier. The second concentrates on long term supply contracts. Part two begins with a chapter on network access and pricing. It is an introduction to the technical issues and pricing principles of open access to energy transmission. The second chapter discusses the development of energy trading in a liberalised environment. Part three begins with a look at the impact of energy liberalisation on consumers in terms of prices and other aspects of the service, the role of the regulator and customer representation. The second chapter of this section examines environmental protection and the regulatory frameworks needed to ensure sustainable development. The final part has country reports on the state of liberalisation in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The diversity of approaches taken is discussed.

The contributors to the book are both academics and practitioners. The book would be suited to the academic community.