Liberalisation

Ernst & Young, on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI, now BERR), produced in January 2006 a research project on liberalisation, which is available below.

Entitled "The case for liberalisation", this report examines the benefits of liberalisation, analyses the basis for five frequently cited challenges and reviews transitional issues associated with the process of liberalisation. The report concludes that:

  • Electricity and gas prices are lower in liberalised markets
  • Volatility, inherent to well-functioning markets, appears to decrease as liberalised markets become established
  • Investment levels have been maintained with liberalisation
  • Reliability and security of supply have been retained in liberalised markets

Social, industrial and environmental policies are maintained and liberalisation can even increase the efficiency of their implementation.

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