Energy transition
Europe goes nuclear
Proposals to build new nuclear power plants in the Baltic states and Poland are gathering pace, finds Maria Kielmas
Anthony Hobley
London Climate Change Services represents businesses that are investing in environmental change. Oliver Holtaway talks to chair anthony hobley
Dr Faith Birol
The International Energy Agency is urging governments to decrease their reliance on oil. Stella Farrington talks with IEA chief economist Fatih Birol
Nuclear fusion R&D
In 50 years, nuclear fusion may be a major source of energy, but until then extensive research and development is needed. To justify the current and future R&D expenditure, a cost-benefit analysis designed specially for this sector is required. David…
To build or not to build
Europe needs more power. But a lack of clear pricing signals and the unknown impact of new environmental legislation is making risk forecasting difficult, and could hinder new plant construction
Matthew Simmons
Few discussions of the world's future oil supply take place these days without reference to Matthew Simmons. He talks to Stella Farrington
Europe - An uncertain future
European natural gas demand is expected to rise in the next three decades. But, as Anouk Honore finds, the overall picture is not easy to predict, and depends on what happens in individual countries - particularly Italy and Spain
Finance and faith
Islamic shari’a law may prohibit interest, but far from discouraging investment, shari’a-compliant structured project finance looks set to grow – particularly in the energy arena, as Maria Kielmas reports
King coal still fired up
Despite the soaring cost of emissions reduction credits, the EU emissions trading scheme has yet to dampen utilities’ demand for coal. But, finds Oliver Holtaway, it may affect their long-term investment decisions
No sign of a slowdown
The fundamental outlook for coal looks price supportive for some years to come, but with other fuel prices sky high, coal looks set to retain its market share of electricity generation this decade. Stella Farrington reports
Calpine to sell US oil and gas assets for $1bn
Calpine Corp is to sell all its US oil and gas exploration and production assets for $1.05 billion to Rosetta Resources, a newly formed subsidiary of the California-based energy company.
A good time to build
US utilities may need to spend more than $100 billion in the next 25 years on new power plants and transmission capacity. Richard McMahon looks at how utilities are assessing long-term risks and attracting potential investors
Shell:powering up
Shell Trading’s core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people define thecompany and how it does business
LNG makes headway
The market for liquefied natural gas is ripe for expansion, given the scarcity of oil and LNG’s cleaner burning properties, and a short-term market is emerging for the first time. Eric Fishhaut looks at the evolving structure of this international market
Turbulent times
The new Renewable Sources Act obliges German utility companies to buy all the wind power generated in the country on any one day. And it is adding a new volatility to the German power market. By Stella Farrington
Russell Newton
Global Advisors’ Russell Newton explains to Patrick Fletcher why his firm is moving away from its traditional oil-centric focus towards a more
Fortum to buy Eon’s Finnish subsidiary
Finnish energy company Fortum is to buy a majority stake in the Finnish arm of German utility Eon from the parent company and has also offered to buy the City of Espoo’s 34.2% shareholding. Fortum will pay Eon 390 million euros ($509 million) for its 65…
Dutch-Norwegian power transmission link may spur electricity trading
A newly agreed Norway-Netherlands electricity transmission link will lead to power trading between the two countries, said Swiss power and automation technology group ABB. The link will also increase the reliability of electricity supply, said the…
A new breed of bond
Issuance of rate reduction bonds by utilities may be down, but the market is preparing for a surge in new asset-backed securities derived from the stranded cost model. By Catherine Lacoursiere