EC to push for grid sell-off of energy suppliers

Freiburg (Platts)--22Dec2006

The European Commission wants to push European energy suppliers to sell
off their grids, according to a report in German weekly news magazine "Der
Spiegel." The magazine cites a paper from the Commission which describes the
basics of a new European energy policy. Those are to be presented by the
president of the Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, on January 10.
Other than the sale of grids, the concept foresees further measures in
European energy markets. The Commission plans to increase competition in the
markets by pushing forward millions of euros worth of investment programs to
expand cross-border capacities and gas pipelines. Furthermore, the Commission
wants to install a pan-European regulatory authority which far-reaching
powers.
The energy concept also suggests that the EU increases its CO2 emission
reductions to 35% by 2035 and 50% by 2050. To reach those targets, the
Commission plans to increase the share of renewable energy generation
"drastically," according to the magazine article.
The program is set to be passed through EU heads of state in March 2007,
it added.

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