By Martin Banks - 31st March 2009
The EU would do well to use Britain as a model if it is serious about energy de-regulation
Giles Chichester
The EU has been urged to press ahead with full energy market liberalisation.
Speaking at a hearing in the European parliament on Tuesday, UK Tory deputy Giles Chichester said that when it comes to energy liberalisation the UK is a "trailblazer."
"Indeed, the EU would do well to use Britain as a model if it is serious about energy de-regulation," he said.
His comments came during a debate organised by the UK-based Energy Networks Association, the trade association for UK energy transmission and distribution licence holders.
Chichester, a former leader of the Tory group in the parliament who chaired the meeting, said, "It is encouraging to hear the positive efforts being made in Britain in the quest for full liberalisation of energy markets.
"At present, there is still a long way to go on the road to full liberalisation on an EU level and other member states would do well to follow the British model in this respect," said Chichester, who is president of the European energy forum and a member of parliament's industry committee.
The meeting discussed a range of industry-related issues, including the impact of further regulation in the energy sector.
Jon Coniam, manager of the Brussels office of British Energy, called for "more stability" in the industry, saying, "There has been a lot of EU legislation in this field in the last few years but, in reality, none of it has really addressed the problems facing the industry. Maybe it is best if, in future, there is less legislation."
His comments were echoed by David Southwell, spokesman for the Energy Networks Association, who said, "The EU's 20-20-20 (energy) targets are very challenging and the last thing the industry needs right now are additional obstacles.
"The message we want to convey today is, please let us have less legislation and let us get on with meeting these targets."
Turning to another energy-related issue - the growing trend towards renewables - Angela Love, the UK-based director of gas at the Energy Networks Association, highlighted a particular problem in one member state, Scotland.
She said, "The problem in Scotland is not so much the issue of renewable energy but the problem in obtaining planning consent for such infrastructure.
"As far as we are concerned this is the big issue and something that needs addressing."
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