Traditional gas via transmission pipeline business may decline in favour of swap deals and other paper trade . Increased product differentiation is expected for consumer services in the electricity and gas markets due to increased competition at distribution level. This will be the result of the continuing impact of environmental legislation on road transport, power generation and other stationary sources and also improved energy efficiency in all end-use and conversion sectors. Road and air transportation are the principal factors behind more EU energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The use of solid fuels is expected fall until 2010.
Natural gas is by far the fastest growing primary fuel.
Due to efficiency and productivity gains throughout energy systems, the cost of energy to the consumer will stabilise or even decrease. The Thermie Programme aims to promote innovative technologies for the rational use of energy.