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1190203620000 | Press Release

EnBW chairman Claassen: „Government market intervention is bad for competition“

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EnBW criticizes 3th EU internal market package: „Economically and legally questionable“

Karlsruhe. Regarding the law package for the European power and gas market that was introduced today by the EU commission, the EnBW Energie Baden Württemberg AG makes the following statement:

The Energie Baden-Württemberg AG emphatically supports the commission’s efforts for more competition and for more market integration. The measures suggested today, however, will not achieve these goals. They are economically as well as legally questionable. First and foremost, this applies to the measures intended to liberate the power grids from the electric power companies. The neutrality of the grids is essential for an efficient competition on the energy markets. The requirements of the Energy Economy Law are sufficient. Both the ownership unbundling and the appointment of an independent network operator has been carried to excess: Furthermore, the 3rd EU internal market package allows for the intervention of the regulatory bodies into existing market structures which they may organize according to their ideas without having to show proof of a clear malpractice or market disturbances. Neither the sector inquiry nor scientific studies have been able to show the necessity of these measures.

„While Brussels calls for more competition, government market controls are practically to be introduced through the backdoor. This is counterproductive and incompatible with our concept of a liberalized market“, explains Utz Claassen, EnBW Chairman of the Board. „The EU commission’s plan to break up to some extend a functional sector based on pure speculation and suspicions is ultimately irresponsible and unacceptable from our point of view. As a company that sells more electricity than it produces, we have a high interest in a functional, undistorted and liquid European internal market. The penta-lateral energy forum and the associated coordinated expansion of the European transport network make an important contribution to it“, says Claassen.

The company

The EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG which is the third largest electric power company employs some 21,000 people and achieved an annual turnover of more than 13 billion Euro in 2006. The core activities focus on the business areas electricity, gas as well energy and environmental services. Traditionally, the EnBW is deeply rooted in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and operates, for example, the power grid for Baden-Wuerttemberg. In addition, the company is doing business throughout Germany as well as in other markets in Central, East and Southeastern Europe.

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Corporate Communications
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
Durlacher Allee 93
76131 Karlsruhe
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