In March 2004, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs submitted a Bill requiring, inter alia, Dutch energy companies to unbundle. The purpose of the proposal was to secure independent network management amid suspicions that integrated energy companies cross-subsidised commercial activities with proceeds from their regulated networks.
In addition, the legislation purported to create a level playing field in the Dutch energy market. Despite extensive lobbying by the energy companies, which were generally opposed to forced unbundling, the Dutch Parliament adopted the proposal on 27 April, 2006. On 14 November this year, the Senate also agreed to adopt the proposal, albeit with the unexpected proviso that the compulsory unbundling is to be postponed indefinitely.
