英国天然气工业的改革发展及对我国的启示

The Progress of Reform in Britain's Gas Industry and Lessons for China

英国天然气工业先后走过了天然气替代煤制气的能源结构优化、行业私有化改造、引入市场竞争机制和构建现代法律及监管框架等艰苦的改革与发展道路。英国天然气改革的实践表明,立法先行,依法监管,规范经营,分离行业可竞争业务与垄断业务,制定科学合理的价格形成及监督机制,是实现由政府控制和国家公司垄断经营向市场竞争成功过渡,增强企业竞争力,培育天然气市场,推动行业高速有序发展的关键所在。为了适应我国天然气工业发展的新形势,我国首先应当尽快出台过渡性政策法规,填补目前的一些法律空白,及早着手起草《天然气法》;其次,尽快考虑建立独立监管机构;第三,在充分调研和科学分析的基础上,制定合理的天然气价格形成机制;第四,通过试点,摸索天然气输配气管网系统合理监管、城市配气企业商业化改造和吸引投资的有效途径。

In past decades, UK's gas industry has experienced substantial reform. This process included the optimization of the energy structure by replacing town gas with natural gas, privatization of state owned enterprises, the introduction of market forces, and the establishment of a modern regulatory framework. These practices suggest the importance of placing priority on proper legal restructuring of the industry that emphasizes compliance, rules of operation, and the creation of competitive standards to differential monopoly conditions, and the formulation of a fair and reasonable price control mechanism. These are key elements in the successful transition from government control to market competition in the natural gas sector. It is also the best means to increase enterprise competitiveness, foster the natural gas market, and to promote the rapid and orderly development of the natural gas sector. Facing these new parameters of development, China should firstly promulgate transitional policies and regulations, while drafting a Natural Gas Law to fill the gaps in current legislation. Second, the establishment of an independent Regulatory Commission should be considered as quickly as possible. Third, a reasonable price mechanism should be designed based on thorough investigation and study. Fourth, great efforts should be made, possibly through pilot projects, to formulate effective measures to regulate the long-distance pipeline distribution system. In addition, the urban gas distribution companies should be corporatized promptly, so as to attract diversified investment.