It is widely expected that MEPs will vote in favour of plans aimed at forcing suppliers to sell off their power transmission networks so as to instil greater competition within the European Union.

The unbundling plans have already been welcomed by a number of European companies, including Centrica and Iberdrola, owners of British Gas and Scottish Power respectively.

While it is likely that France, Germany and a handful of other member states will vote against the proposals, observers are confident that when the European parliament's industry, research and energy (ITRE) committee meets this week MEPs will reject some of the softer options that have previously been put forward.

Welcoming the forward steps currently being taken, Labour MEP Eluned Morgan, added: "We would like to see national regulators given far more powers to fine companies which break the rules, adopt a more stringent approach to appointments and monitor, manage and police the networks.

"Consumers should also be given much greater influence," he told the Guardian.

Under the plans, independent operators would be given the ability to set annual investment plans and raise capital to run transmission networks, with some of the continent's largest energy groups due to be broken up within the next couple of years.