Some of the largest European energy groups are poised to escape a forced split of their assets because of Franco-German resistance to European Union liberalization measures, the Financial Times reports Thursday, without citing sources.
Under a compromise, companies including Electricite de France (1024251.fr) and E.ON AG (EONGY) would be spared a requirement to sell power grids and gas pipelines, the FT says, instead facing toughened regulation and stronger requirements for independent management.
Along with France and Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg, Lativa and Slovakia are all opposed to so-called 'unbundling,' something that is already in place in half the E.U.'s 27 member nations.
E.U. energy ministers are meeting later Thursday in Brussels to try to overcome months of deadlock on the issue.