ABSTRACT
This chapter sketches the changes, which in the 1950–98 period occurred in European energy markets. Energy is essential to economic development. Without the ample supply of energy the present levels of welfare would not be possible. The objectives of the common energy policy (CEP) cannot be realised without a certain restructuring of energy production, consumption and trade. The oil crisis of the early 1970s opened European eyes to the risk of such a development. Since then extensive schemes have been carried out to make Europe less dependent on foreign energy, notably oil: schemes to boost national production as well as reduce consumption. Primary energy sources are not always convenient to users, which is why they are converted into secondary ones. To convert energy costs energy. On the one hand, oil refineries and coke ovens use energy to feed the production process.
