Winners or losers?: State measures in crisis management and the energy markets

Several studies have been made about the present global financial crisis that has affected real economy as well. We know the root causes and its consequences. However we found a sector that has not been examined comprehensively in inland studies on the ground of changing environment. It is worth examining the effects on energy sector on the basis of their stages and impacts. Among governmental responses we can find several that hit energy markets, like super-taxes, privatisation or the broadening of state ownership. National supports were introduced for the handling of the financial crisis within the energy sector. However we must add that energy market supports served rather development purposes and not company salvage like we have seen it in other sectors. Also competition rules remained almost as consistent as we experienced it before. Moreover, if recent EU level energy policy projects come true, energy sector can even realize profit from the crisis. Future of the European energy markets depends on the recognition and exploitation of the possibilities coming from new circumstances.