Energy transition
Powerful fusions
Europe’s power exchanges arebecoming increasingly connected asnational transmission grids link up.Roderick Bruce looks at the effect thiswill have on electricity trading
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is fast becoming a resource and a business in its ownright. This month’s special report takes an in-depth look at some of theadvances, challenges and opposition to this growing market
Less is more
Utilities are leading the chorus for greater energy efficiency in the US. But, as David Watkins discovers, their drive to secure profits while selling less power is proving to be a major regulatory challenge
Green backing
The financing of renewable energy projects is becoming more attractive, as rising demand and prices make it a safer investment. The subprime crisis will tip the balance further in favour of green investment and open up opportunities for end-users to…
Transmission possible?
US grid operators are hoping that a new stance on transmission planning will act as a hedge against an uncertain energy future. Yet such a strategy comes with its own challenges, writes Elisa Wood
Merrill Lynch launches carbon certificate
Investment bank Merrill Lynch today launched an index-based investment certificate that offers protected exposure to the stocks of carbon efficient European companies.
Renewables set to lose out as Energy Bill stalls in Senate
US Republicans have forced Democrat supporters of the Energy bill to drop a controversial tax provision that would have cut tax breaks to major oil companies in an effort to boost spending on renewables.
The future arrives for renewables
The emerging market in renewable energy futures is expected to lower the cost of financing renewables and smooth out the volatility often encountered when running intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar. Catherine Lacoursière investigates
Barcap invests in Canadian carbon capture
Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays PLC, has completed what it calls “a significant investment” in Enhance Energy, a Calgary-based private company specializing in CO2 enhanced oil recovery and sequestration.
RWE to invest €1 billion per year in renewables; founds new company
German utility RWE has announced the creation of a renewable energy company, RWE Innogy, which will be backed by at least €1 billion of investment per year.
Irish SEM successfully launched
The new wholesale electricity market that unites the power grids of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been successfully launched.
Goldman Sachs invests in Nordic Windpower
Investment bank Goldman Sachs has made a “significant investment” in Nordic Windpower, a manufacturer of two-bladed utility-scale wind turbines.
NRG presents new nuclear proposals
The first license application in 29 years to build a new nuclear plant in the United States has been submitted.
TXU shareholders agree to $45 billion buyout
TXU shareholders have approved a merger agreement with Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership (TEF), which was formed by a group of investors led by private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Texas Pacific Group.
Climate Change Capital closes €200 million private equity fund
Climate Change Capital (CCC), an investment banking group dedicated to clean energy investments, has closed its private equity fund at €200 million.