News Article
Companies Call For EU Single Energy Market
A declaration on a single European energy market has been declared by a group of companies and associations.
Two days before the first-ever EU summit on energy, twenty European companies and associations are calling on EU Heads of State to show the courage and vision to create a single market for electricity by 2015.
The declaration compares the need for a single approach to electricity to that of the single market stating that a Europe without its single market is unthinkable. According to the declaration the single market has boosted trade, competition and prosperity in Europe, created millions of new jobs, provided wider consumer choice, and a hugely expanded market for business. Despite these advances and twenty five years after the signing of the Single European Act there is still no single market in electricity.
European legislation has guaranteed some choice of electricity provider, but only 5% of Europe's electricity is traded across borders. As a consequence, competition is inefficient and allows electricity suppliers to pass any increase in the price of the coal, gas, or in the future carbon, straight onto the consumer without risk of significant loss of business.
The declaration suggests that a properly functioning European market in electricity would have many benefits including increased competition leading, in the long-term, to reduced electricity prices as well as improved security of supply (and reduced risk of blackouts). The declaration feels an EU wide approach to electricity would reap the full advantages of fuel-free, pollution-free renewable energy sources as they would be produced in ever greater quantities in many parts of Europe The benefit to the market would be opportunities for increased trade in electricity regardless of the source.
The declaration states its rationale and request to the EU thusly,
“In order to achieve a single market in electricity, Europe needs both the infrastructure to transport electricity from one part of Europe to another, and a common set of market rules. An interconnected system of roads, railways, shipping and air routes throughout Europe is a precondition for maintaining Europe's four freedoms, created by the Single European Act 25 years ago: the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. Europe needs a fifth freedom, the free movement of electricity across borders, and effective competition and an interconnected electricity grid are key to establishing it.
25 years ago European leaders showed courage and vision by creating a single European market. Today's leaders must show similar determination in achieving a single market in electricity, and the Heads of State have the opportunity to show such courage and vision by agreeing on 4 February to create a single market for electricity by 2015."
Companies already supporting the declaration:
Acciona, Enercon, Enel Green Power, EON Climate & Renewables, GE Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, PPC Renewables, RES, Siemens, SSE Renewables, Vattenfall and Vestas.
Associations already supporting the declaration:
European Biomass Association (AEBIOM), European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (ESTELA), European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA), European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the Friends of the Supergrid.