 Embracing turmoil in the UK energy market
June 01st 2005
The liberalised UK energy market has produced several years of low gas and electricity prices, but in one fell swoop any advantage over our European partners has been more than wiped out as energy prices have rocketed over the last 12 months. But is this a concern only to end-user customers? Arecent report suggests that businesses in the UK face even higher energy bills due to lack of European Competition. We are being forced to pay an extra £700 million a year for our energy because of inaccessible continental Europe supplies. This puts British business at a huge disadvantage compared with competitors on the Continent.
With widely differing prices there is a need for the EU Commission to benchmark price differentials across not just the 15 but the 25 member states, examine why those differentials exist, and whether there are unfair subsidies and levies and if the result is anti-competitive.
An investigation is also needed into security of supply and the robustness of cross-border connections.
Energy policy in Europe has now moved into a different phase and has the potential to fundamentally affect Britain’s electricity and gas markets as never before. Yet many end-users, suppliers and specialists feel underrepresented in the various lobby organisations which feed into the Brussels decision-making process and influence it.
How can your voice reach those who make the new rules? meuc in conjunction with many industry organisations including: the Association of Electricity Producers, Energy Intensive Users’ Group, Moffatt Associates and Ernst & Young will take forward these very issues to the heart of Europe. The Energy Mission to Brussels (17-18 October) will be timed to coincide with the Commission’s liberalisation investigation for a final report in 2006.
Lobbying groups throughout Europe will be making their views known to Brussels.
Now is the time for Britain’s energy industry to do likewise – not in a spirit of complaint or grievance but in a constructive dialogue with officials, policymakers and MEPs who have already indicated they will be pleased to meet, talk and listen.
If you want to assist not only your company but also the rest of the UK get a fairer deal, then add your voice to ours and request further information about the Energy Mission to Brussels, email:sandra.barradas@meuc.co.uk.
This is only one of many initiatives that meuc undertakes during the course of the year. Apart from providing professional guidance and support to utility buyers and energy managers it holds regular utility-specific meetings where professional managers share experiences and solutions. We aim to be the leading voice in influencing Government, Regulators and utility suppliers to ensure that members obtain the fairest trading terms and conditions. The organisation presents the views of members when it meets formally with Government and other decision-makers.
“Since joining meuc Autobar Group has more than recouped the cost of membership. In October 2004 we had four UK sites seeking competitive quotes having reached the end of long-term electricity contracts. The timing couldn't have been worse - at one point the best offer represented a massive 86% increase as a result of global fuel price rises.
With advice from meuc we managed to trim more than £100 000 from the additional cost and are now following a strategy that should see further benefits in the future”. Ian Robinson, technical director, Autobar Group More articles from MEUC Limited: | 
