Policy risk
Depending on Russia
Europe's increasing dependence on Russia for gas supplies throws up new risks that must be assessed. Understanding political risk is key, but the biggest risk to supply could be the lack of investment in the sector, finds Roderick Bruce
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
The regulation debate
Following a series of price spikes, consumer groups in the US are rallying against the deregulation of electricity marketswith some success. David Watkins investigates
Successful networking
Germany's virtually non-existent gas market has been given a shot in the arm by the country's network regulator, which has banned anti-competitive grid access contracts. Could this be the start of a success story, asks Oliver Holtaway
Uncertainty hampers forward planning
The long-term investment plans of US utilities are being hampered by regional regulatory ambiguity and a string of failed mergers. David Watkins investigates
A clearer picture
Energy bills are now prominent on most UK businesses' radar screens. Alistair Buchanan of UKregulator Ofgem offers an update on developments that could affect the UK's gas market this winter
No merger for FPL Group and Constellation
FPL Group and Constellation Energy have terminated their plans to merge.
EU proposals to heighten competition and risk in the energy sector
The European Commission’s energy policy review, an ongoing evaluation of the energy sector which is likely to lead to new regulation regarding competition, could have significant implications for the risk profile of the European utility sector, says a…
Antoine Halff
Antoine Halff talks to Oliver Holtaway about the pivotal role that political risk should be playing in energy risk analysis
Catching the wind
After a 20-year hiatus, the US wind power industry has grown rapidly in the past two years. Its future, however, depends on Congress drawing up clear, long-term legislation, finds Neil O'Hara
Risking it in Russia
When attempting to assess energy risk in Russia today, traditional methods of risk analysis are no longer sufficient; they mustbe accompanied by detailed political risk analysis, writes Robert Amsterdam
Bankruptcy Code confusion
Amendments to the US Bankruptcy Code concerning forwards, swaps and commodity contracts have far-reaching implications for energy company bankruptcies, but uncertainties remain, write Kenneth Irvin and Nathan Coco
Vultures in Congo
Energy companies have long accepted a degree of country risk when investing in developing nations. But oil and gas companies now face a new threat to their international investments - and its origins lie closer to home. Andrew Derman, Andrew Melsheimer…
US emissions - State of play
Point Carbon's Veronique Bugnion takes a look at the scope and timeline for the carbon emission cap-and-trade programmes on the drawing board in the US
Obstacles - Growing pains
Eastern European power markets have experienced rapid growth since liberalisation at the start of this decade, but there are still many obstacles impeding the market's development, finds James Ockenden
UK Energy Review
The UK government's July Energy Review was generally welcomed for its stance on renewables, nuclear and carbon, but many market participants had been hoping for greater clarity
Mercury rising
US states fear a federal cap and trade programme intended to reduce mercury emissions will lead to mercury hot spots, along with the forced closure of plants within states that don't enter the scheme. Catherine Lacoursiere investigates