The need for opening of the energy market, encourage the Commission to take further measures on the 3rd energy package and to take further steps to eliminate fragmentation and market distortions, give priority to projects with most pronounced impact on the internal market, phase-out subsidies for fossil fuels and strive to eliminate regulated energy prices and provide transparency, information and freedom of choice for consumer are some key concepts outlined by the Rapporteur.
Shadow rapporteurs highlighted that correct and timely transposition of the 3rd energy package should be a top priority. In addition, competition policy should be also carefully analysed as there are MS which introduce additional obstacles, hinding the development of the market. Some horizontal approach needs to be introduced to protect vulnerable consumers as energy poverty is a serious issue. Consumers should be central to the debate as they pay the costs when the market is not competitive enough. In the opinion, a need of effective use of existing infrastructure must ne underlined. In the past, IMCO elaborated the Consumer Energy Charter, some of the concepts still remain valid ie. cross-border issues, long-term contracts or effective dispute resolution. In closing remarks, the Rapporteur mentioned that lack of transparency in the market shall be further addressed in the opinion, same as the concept of collective switching.
Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP