The French Experience in the European Process of Liberalization of Energy Markets

The liberalization of electricity and gas markets clashes against the French economic culture that relies on the state and public monopolies to supply many public services. This explains the resistance against the market opening imposed by EU directives. Nevertheless, the liberalization has had the beneficial effect of shaking the rents, the institutional organization and has called into question the traditional concept of "service public". Looking ahead, however, the liberalization is likely to increase the complexity of technical, institutional, financial and organizational solutions of the energy sector.