At a debate on the Commission’s Third Liberalisation Package yesterday, both industry and institution representatives agreed that there was a need for further liberalisation of the market, and an independent agency which should provide cross-border regulatory oversight of the implementation.

Representatives of the European Commission, the Parliament, ENEL and BEUC seemed to be largely in agreement, and also stressed the need for greater consumer information and empowerment, which was held to benefit both consumers and suppliers.

Marie-Christine Jalabert, of DG TREN at the Commission initially presented the proposed package, and MEP Paul Rubig, a member of the ITRE committee, gave an insightful speech fresh from the discussion in the Parliament that morning. Roberto Zangrandi of ENEL and Levi Nietvelt of the Bureau of European Consumers presented the best-case scenarios for energy suppliers and consumers over the next ten years.

There was some disagreement on the introduction of the reciprocity clause, with Mme. Jalabert stating that neither Germany nor Austria are in favour, and there is still a great deal of debate in the Council on the question.

Over 100 stakeholders attended, and provided for a lively debate covering all topics from how best to empower consumers through providing them with access to energy providers across Europe to the eventual impact that measures to limit climate change would have on energy suppliers and regulators. The evening concluded with a cocktail in the bar of the Stanhope, providing participants with a chance to address the speakers in a more informal setting.

The debate will continue on our blog, www.speakup-energy.blogactiv.eu, where interviews with the participants will also be available.