Welcome to EURELECTRIC’s Annual Convention and Conference

On 14 & 15 June 2004, two weeks before the energy liberalisation package comes into force for industrial and commercial customers, the power sector’s top executives will gather together in Lyon, France, to discuss the state of energy liberalisation and where we go from here. A number of post-liberalisation issues will be singled out and scrutinised, including inter alia, the relation between market and regulation, between market and public service, between market and emissions trading, and the key issue of ensuring future investments.

Creating a common electricity market is a complex process that will need more than just Directives to become a reality, and the Union of the Electricity Industry – EURELECTRIC is calling for greater coordination and consistency. A number of studies undertaken in the past year will be made public, highlighting the need for further progress if the European electricity market is to thrive and develop in the long-term.

With the enlargement of the European Union to 25 member states on 1 May 2004, the European Union now encompasses the largest internal energy market in the world. The challenge will be to move from an internal market in theory to an internal market in practice.

I look forward to hearing your views on these issues and to engaging in lively dialogue with our partners and interlocutors from the industry and political, legislative and academic circles, as well as our financial and business stakeholders.

I also draw your attention to the high-level Executive Forum taking place prior to the conference on “Company and Industry Structure – the Challenges Ahead”. Open for attendance by all conference participants, this half-day, strategic workshop will address the developing structure of our industry, including issues such as unbundling, robustness of our industry, staying power, mergers, the equilibrium between competition and economies of scale.

I invite you to join us at this key industry event.