Government announces end to national grid monopoly

The government plans to break up the monopoly on wholesale energy supplies currently enjoyed by the national grid, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE). Economy Minister Jacek Piechota told the Zycie daily that there are plans to divide PSE's activities into two areas, energy management and distribution, and sales. He explained this will facilitate the restructuring of the energy sector. According to Zycie sources at the Economy Ministry, companies granted energy supply concessions are likely to gain from the end to the PSE monopoly. The Energy Ministry's new strategy for the energy sector is expected to be ready by the end of February. (Zycie, pp. 1, 3) P.J.