The Interplay between the European Commission and Member States in Energy Policy. An Analysis of the Debate on Transmission Network Unbundling

This work analyses the debate among the European Commission (EC), Member States (MS) and vertically integrated utilities (VIUs) on the introduction of ownership unbundling, suggesting three different interpretative keys: the “pure pro-market” model, the “capture by lobbies” model and the “struggle for geopolitical supremacy” model. Their consistency has been evaluated through the analysis of official documents, effective decisions, newspapers comments day-by-day. Conclusions point out that the EC declares economical goals but it seems pursuing political ones. The debate on ownership unbundling is an arena for the wider struggle for supremacy between European and national institutions.