Barroso plans energy sector reforms

Europe's national energy giants would be exposed to greater competition or even broken up under a drive to transform the sector announced 11 September 2006 by José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president in an interview with the Financial Times. Aides say he wants to create a framework where perhaps four or five big pan-European energy companies compete across borders for retail customers and carry enough clout to drive hard bargains with suppliers.

The European Commission launched an inquiry into competition in gas and electricity markets on 13 June 2005, pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation 1/2003 EC (see related url hyperlink)

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European Commission: DG Competition: Sector Inquiries - Energy http://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/energy/overview_en.html

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