September 11th, 2006
Energy reform: set to explode?
Jos Manuel Barroso is facing one of the biggest decisions of his time as European Commission president: whether to take on entrenched industrial and political interests in order to break open the continent’s energy market.
After interviewing him - on-the-record and privately - for over 90 minutes I have the impression he is gearing up for a fight.
Mr Barroso says in his FT interview he wants to break the grip of Europe’s monopolistic energy suppliers, which control both the supply and distribution of electricity and gas in their home markets. Legislation is expected early in 2007.
But how tough will he be? Will he go for a full-frontal attack and demand the complete unbundling of the supply and distribution operations of companies such as Eon and EDF - or settle for some half measures?
