French government to open up electricity market

The French government moved to end a dispute with the European Union competition authorities, saying it will open up its electricity market to competition by doing away with regulated tariffs for industrial clients and allowing power companies to buy nuclear power at a reasonable price from state-controlled Electricite de France (EdF).
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said his government would maintain regulated tariffs for households and small businesses, but plans to do away with regulated tariffs for industrial clients in 2015. The plans are the result of negotiations with European Commission officials and should end EU litigation on the matter, Fillon said.