Forum Brief: Energy liberalisation

The European parliament has voted in favour of liberalising EU energy markets by a deadline of 2007.

Brian Wilson, the energy minister, said: "It is excellent news for British energy companies. Once the proposals are implemented across Europe by the middle of next year, our companies will be well placed to thrive by competing on a level playing field in the expanded and competitive EU energy market."

Forum Response: Ofgem

A spokesman for Ofgem told ePolitix.com: "Ofgem welcomes the European parliament's decision to give the go-ahead for European energy liberalisation."As Great Britain's energy regulator, Ofgem believes that the long-term interests of energy consumers across Britain and Europe will be best served by the development of fully-competitive gas and electricity markets."We will continue to work closely with other European energy regulators and stakeholders to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible."

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Forum Response: Institute for Electrical Engineers

A spokeswoman for the IEE told ePolitix.com: "The IEE is delighted that agreement has at last been reached on the creation of a single EU energy market as this has been a very important priority for the UK and the EU as a whole.

"We believe the package does provide the necessary measures to underpin the development of effective competition, whilst still maintaining some flexibility in order to reflect the circumstances of individual countries.

"The liberalisation package should enable all energy companies to compete on a fair basis. From the consumer perspective, it will allow customers who do not yet have access to competing suppliers to benefit from more choice and better service."