Electricity
	Gas
	CO2 and other emissions
	Renewables
	UK and Ireland
	UK
	Ireland
	Central and Northern Europe
	Southern Europe
	Eastern Europe
	United States
	Rest of the world

UK and Ireland

Their geographic positions as islands connected to the continental energy markets only by relatively small interconnectors gives the two countries' electricity and gas market environments much in common.

Although the UK was one of the first countries to liberalise its electricity and gas markets during the 1990s, Ireland is rapidly following suit, with open access to all electricity customers taking place in 2005. Gas market opening for all customers is expected to follow in October 2010.

Both countries have also faced tremendous change in the sources of and uses of fuel. Historically the UK has seen a dramatic growth in the use of gas for power generation - while Ireland's supplies of gas have been transformed with increasing interconnection to the UK.

Pöyry believe that the pattern of change is set to continue in these islands, with changing fuel supplies, new market rules, and increasing environmental pressures.

Our expertise in the UK goes back to before privatisation and has continued in depth with the many stakeholders in the industry - this experience has been well suited to the Republic of Ireland, where we have considerable expertise.