Liberalising energy in Europe: Public service obligations in the energy sector

The article deals with the issue of opening up the energy market in the European Union with the focus on public services, which need to be ensured in order for certain public interest objectives to be met. We presented public services and corresponding legislation from an EU perspective, with the emphasis on the energy sector. Public services are at the core of political debate in a market economy where public authorities need to ensure the smooth functioning of the market and, at the same time, safeguard the citizens' essential needs where the market fails.