Building competitive electricity and gas markets i n the interest of customers. Since 1 July

2007, electricity and gas markets in Member States in Europe are fully opened for all

customers, including households. Even after the 1st July deadline, some Member States seek

to regulate end-user energy prices (so called “regulated tariffs”), arguing that it is a tool to

protect vulnerable customers. However, protecting “vulnerable customers” should not

be confused with regulated tariffs for all (or certain categories) of customers. It is

ERGEG’s view that fully open markets with well functioning competition cannot in the

long term coexist with regulated end-user energy prices.-Building competitive electricity and gas markets is in the interest of customers. Since 1 July

2007, electricity and gas markets in Member States in Europe are fully opened for all

customers, including households. Even after the 1st July deadline, some Member States seek

to regulate end-user energy prices (so called “regulated tariffs”), arguing that it is a tool to

protect vulnerable customers. However, protecting “vulnerable customers” should not

be confused with regulated tariffs for all (or certain categories) of customers. It is

ERGEG’s view that fully open markets with well functioning competition cannot in the

long term coexist with regulated end-user energy prices.