A majority of MEPs voted in favour of fully unbundling the ownership of companies that produce and transmit electricity and gas, saying that this would be the most efficient measure to tackle chronic under-investment in the network infrastructure and guarantee access to the market by new competitors.
The report, which has no binding character but seeks to influence Commission proposals on energy liberalisation due in September, lashes out at attempts by certain governments, such as France and Germany, to create "national energy champions", claiming that this amounts to nothing more than protectionism.
It also called for an end to state-owned companies, such as France's EDF or Italy's Enel, saying that these are contrary to free competition as they subject the functioning of the market to political considerations.
The independence of national watchdogs should be also reinforced in order to "avoid excessive intervention of governments, as was the case in Spain during the takeover bids of main electricity operator Endesa", said the report.
French MEPs, both from the right and the left, unsurprisingly rejected the proposal, in a sign that the Commission will face a tough battle against national ambitions when it presents its liberalisation package later this year.
