Role of local distributors in development of multi-energy companies

This paper presents an idea and a role of multi- energy companies in the Polish energy markets. Authors present key aspects of development of Polish electricity market and rules of a co-operation in this area between communal and distribution entities. Paper includes also a description of the first M-E and M- I companies (M-ECO, M-ICO) operating in Poland. A profile and a role of these companies in the market, which have been formulated in the paper, have been used as criteria to analyse the status of local distributors as a potential partner (shareholder) of the M-ECO/M-ICO.