European Energy Markets Observatory (2009)

The eleventh edition of the European Energy Markets Observatory covers the full year 2008 and the winter 2008/2009. Key messages developed in the report: -The crisis has put the Utilities sector under pressure and challenged the resilient character attributed to the Utilities sector. -Security of supply has improved in electricity, little progress was observed in gas. -Contrasted progress towards a single electricity and gas market. - Even if the European Union is the only region with a clear policy on climate change, more efforts need to be implemented. -The crisis has revealed the need for deeper Utilities business models changes: Utilities need to lower their 'cost to serve' and distribution costs, adapt to new customer relationship, streamline and simplify their organizations, processes and IT to increase efficiency, manage their strategic resources and take advantage of new technologies.