Is the regulator the answer?

In European countries where the energy market has been liberalized, many energy customers are not pleased with the results of this _______________ process. They claim there are no real benefits. They see energy companies making large profits, firstly through the _______________ of power and then as grid operators when they charge outside companies high grid fees for the _______________ of electricity through their networks. Many see _______________ as the answer for this should force companies to consider their prices. This will probably make it less profitable to _______________ the final customer with electricity and gas. Each company’s overall _______________ volume is set to decrease as more firms enter the market.

DID YOU KNOW?

In some countries, the company which operates a high-voltage grid is called the TSO (Transmission Systems Operator). The company which runs a distribution network is sometimes called the DSO (Distribution Systems Operator).

Task 19. At a follow-up meeting to the phone call in Task, Maria explains ELEC’s structure to Colin. Listen to her explanation and complete this chart taken from ELEC’s annual report. Then say which division the statements under the chart refer to.

_______________________________________

_________

_____

______

Elec Transmission and Distribution

_____

Elec Regional Supply

_ ____

1. It has networks in many European countries.

2. It is buying operation, procuring energy for the European supply company.

3. It procures gas from partners in Russia.

4. It is a company in its own right.

5. It runs opencast mines producing lignite and coal.

6. This division has a lot of subsidiaries each responsible for a specific geographical area.

7. This division is in the process of being consolidated under one management structure.

Home task:

A: Complete this puzzle with words from the unit, and find the person who buys electricity or gas in column a.

1. a fossil fuel used for generating electricity

2. a company which transports electricity to homes and businesses

3. the first of the three load levels; the other two are intermediate and peak

4. a company which runs a network system

5. a company that generates, transmits, distributes and supplies electricity or gas from facilities which it owns and operates (2 words – 4,8 letters)

6. the process whereby a company transports electricity at high-voltage levels

7. a company which produces electricity

8. what a company is involved in when it buys and sells electricity or gas at the energy exchanges

a

2

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

B: Prepare a short PowerPoint presentation about any company working in the energy business from the list. Use the outline given below, add pictures.

The most-well known energy companies in the world: