European Union (EU)
Gazprom claims highlight stranglehold over European gas
An EC antitrust probe throws Gazprom's dominance in central and eastern Europe into sharp relief, but will do little to alleviate it
EU and US position limits will hit the wrong target
Dodd-Frank and Mifid II won't stop market disorder but will penalise hedgers
Power capacity mechanisms worry EU electricity traders
Power traders are concerned that a growth of interest in capacity mechanisms could threaten the potency of traded electricity markets across the European Union, while disrupting plans to forge a unified internal energy market
UK power grid needs investment to keep lights on in future
The lights stayed on in the UK last winter, despite thin supply margins and outages at important base-load power plants. But the country’s capacity crunch isn’t going away, and utilities will have to work harder to optimise their output in future, argues…
Metals traders shun clearing due to Emir, says LME chief
Emir's introduction of segregated clearing accounts is pushing firms towards trading OTC, says LME head Garry Jones
Remit delegated reporting leaves unanswered questions
EU energy traders have until October to begin reporting the details of standard power and natural gas trades to regulators under Remit. But the exact process by which many of these initial contracts will be reported remains blurry
Capacity mechanisms spark concern from power traders
Zest for subsidies could threaten plans for unified EU electricity market, argue power traders
EU ETS to become bigger priority for industrials
Back-loading and structural reforms to Europe’s carbon market are set to collide with a reduction in free allowances, making life tougher for the continent’s polluters. Market participants hope this will engender an increased focus on risk management and…
Energy traders seek deal on Remit delegated reporting
Efet is working to prepare a standard framework for delegated reporting under Remit with energy exchanges and brokers, before an October deadline for reporting kicks in
Mifid II must recognise that commodities are different
Mifid II is one of the most significant pieces of post-crisis financial reform, and threatens to engulf commodity trading firms in rules aimed squarely at financial services firms
Energy exchanges can share the burden of Remit
It's easy to see why smaller energy trading organisations become frustrated trying to deal with the demands of the European Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency. But exchanges can play a vital role in sharing the burden,…
European gas trading has bright future, panel says
Natural gas is staging a comeback in Europe after being squeezed out by coal during the past few years, according to a panel of market participants who spoke at Energy Risk Summit Europe
EU regulation and renewables seen as big energy risks
Senior risk managers chart biggest concerns for energy companies during panel at Energy Risk Summit Europe, but not everybody agrees the lists are useful
Mifid II doomsday awaits energy firms, conference told
Speaking at Energy Risk Summit Europe, compliance officer at Shell International Trading & Shipping warns of “serious threat” posed to energy traders by Mifid II
Power pioneer reflects on EU market development
Having been closely involved in Dutch market liberalisation during the mid-1990s, Bert den Ouden has gone on to play a key role bringing Europe’s power markets closer together. He speaks with Gillian Carr
Tougher UK Remit sanctions to be felt across EU
Proposed UK criminal penalties for manipulation and insider trading under Remit would have "very broad" effect across European energy market, according to lawyers
EC's Ristori worries about energy security post-Ukraine
The EC's director-general for energy expresses fears about Europe's continued reliance on Russia for energy imports amid the crisis in Ukraine, in an exclusive interview with Energy Risk
EC's Ristori takes on Ukraine, subsidies and EU integration
Dominique Ristori was appointed as EC director-general for energy earlier this year. In an exclusive interview, he speaks to Mark Pengelly about energy security in the wake of Ukraine, European integration, energy subsidies and the development of shale…
EU consultation provokes debate on future of energy market
On June 16, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators closed a consultation on the future of the EU energy market. The document’s wide-ranging proposals have been met with a mixed reaction from regulators and market participants. Gillian Carr…
More work required on Remit reporting, firms say
Back-loading, self-reporting and non-standard trades continue to pose major obstacles to compliance with Remit, say energy trading firms
EU ETS decision leaves airlines playing cameo role
Airlines set to remain on the fringes of the EU ETS until at least 2016, disappointing environmentalists and market observers hoping for better liquidity
Power market coupling could spur derivatives activity
Market coupling may result in greater derivatives use and falling participation in both explicit auctions and physical nominations, survey finds
Firms expect power market coupling to have tangible impact
The process of power market coupling is continuing across Europe, with the largest and most ambitious project to date going live in February. But how do market participants feel about market coupling and how it will affect their businesses? Stella…
Conference highlights questions over Remit implementation
Problems encountered by Emir demonstrate issues that need to be solved before Remit reporting begins, argue attendees at Energy Risk Italia