Page: 1 2
Uberposter
With the wisdom of solomon
Global user
Registered: 02-2005
Location: NW MIDS
Posts: 6147
|
Reply  Quote
|
|
Don't you just love europeans?
Energy firms taxing UK consumers to keep continental prices down
The front page of the Telegraph reports that Gordon Brown's consumer advocate, Ed Mayo has said that a lack of competition in the European energy markets means that British consumers are being overcharged on energy bills to subsidise customers in continental countries. Mayo said households were suffering because foreign companies - often owned by the state - faced no competition at home. "Closed and protectionist European energy markets end up picking the pockets of consumers in this country," he said. French consumers are protected by a state price cap, meaning that British consumers end up subsidising lower bills in France.
Neil O'Brien of Open Europe is quoted, saying that the price of gas flowing to Britain from France was "kept artificially high" by French operators restricting supplies. He added that, "People in Britain are paying more because other EU countries are rigging the market." Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and former oil economist, said, "Even people who are supportive of the European Union are embarrassed at its failures over energy. The failure to liberalise energy markets and the extreme reluctance of the French and, to a lesser extent, the Germans and the Dutch, has prevented the free flow of energy and especially gas, in a way that is very damaging to the interests of consumers."
The Economist notes that prices will have to rise even further if the UK is to meet proposed EU targets from renewable energy: "Even coming close to the European targets, say government advisers, would mean a sevenfold rise in onshore wind capacity and a 46-fold rise in offshore. Subsidies for renewables (£634m in 2006-07) currently add only slightly to bills, but a big expansion of renewable energy would mean higher prices."
---
The dense seriousness of small minds prevails.
Barry, RMN RGN (ret.)
A page of history is worth a pound of logic.
|
|
8/Aug/08, 13:46
|
Send Email to Uberposter
Send PM to Uberposter
Blog
|
Add a reply
Page: 1 2
Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
|
You are not logged in (login)
Board's time is: 29/Nov/09, 3:51
|
|
|
