The 2001 e7 Summit, hosted by Enel in Venezia, assembled the e7 Chairmen and roughly 40 top level participants representing a variety of interests (customers, equipment suppliers, environmental experts, shareholders, financing organisations, trade unions, academics, regulators, etc.) to discuss the theme of the year, “The electricity company of the 21st century – a 360° perspective”. The forum focussed on the major issues that the electricity industry will face in the next century: business environment changes, external perceptions and expectations, sustainable development, market aspects and regulatory issues, and financing. Following the Forum, a working group published a summary paper entitled "The Electricity Company of the 21st Century." (pdf 514kB)
Major global environmental and social issues that affect the electric utility industry are considered to be the top priorities of the e8.
The issues of sustainable development, climate change, social trust, and internationalisation are the focus of the e8's actions.