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The Association of Electricity Producers (AEP) is understood to be considering a merger with the Electricity Association. The AEP -- formerly the AIEP but it has now dropped the "Independent" from its title -- has a high proportion of renewable generators among its members. The Electricity Association (EA) is an organisation which at its height in pre-privatisation days was used to wielding considerable power. After the electricity industry was sold off it continued to provide a unified voice for the large privatised generating, transmission and distribution companies. The AEP's David Porter stresses that any possible union with the EA is still a long way off. "It is true that the two associations have held exploratory discussions but it is far too early to say whether any merger or other relationship is possible," he says. He believes there are some areas where the two associations have common views and where a single, strong voice could be helpful. He cites liberalisation of European electricity markets as one example. "On the other hand, there are some big differences between the two associations," he continues. "AEP represents producers but the EA includes the monopoly wires businesses, with whom we often disagree."