Germany pledged to find a "middle way" yesterday in EU efforts
to open gas and electricity markets to more competition as EU
governments differed over how far to go in a planned energy sector
shake-up.
Energy ministers met in Brussels for the first time since the
European Commission proposed measures last month to cut greenhouse
gas emissions, boost energy production from environmentally
friendly sources and separate distribution networks from the
generation activities of big utility groups.
EU states are split on how far to go in separating, or
"unbundling", power generation and distribution businesses.
"I support the commission emphatically in the goal of having
more competition and, through that, more favorable prices in
Europe," said German Economy Minister Michael Glos.
"On the way to meeting that goal, there are the most different
of views among the 27 member states. We will come to an agreement
on a middle way," he said.
EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs reiterated on Wednesday
the commission's preference for full "ownership unbundling."
This option would require giants such as Germany's E.ON and RWE
to sever their generation and distribution activities by selling
off one business.
In a nod to governments that oppose such a shake-up, the EU
executive has offered a second option in which utilities hand over
management of grid operations while retaining ownership.
Piebalgs said the commission was open to a third idea from
France for "regulatory unbundling" along French lines.
(China Daily February 16, 2007)
