
12 June 2006
The Government PR machine starts warming us up to the idea of new nuclear.
It looks as though the Government is gradually trying to warm us up to the idea of a new nuclear fleet. Even though the Energy Review is not due to be published until the end of July, two news items over the past few days indicate that nuclear will form a significant part of the Reviews conclusions.
At a summit on Friday, French President Jacques Chirac announced the UK and France would be setting up a joint nuclear energy forum to share technology and expertise for both the construction and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, with Tony Blair saying he was not prejudicing the final outcome of the Review but that it was a question of energy security, clean energy and climate change.
Then on Saturday, Gordon Brown again signalled support for nuclear writing in the Times that the Government was keen to demonstrate its flexibility in key policy areas ‘such as energy including nuclear’. Those hoping that the expected ‘PM-in-waiting’ would take a different stance on nuclear will be disappointed.
Winter 11 - A Slippery Slope
 
06 May 2011
While March was a month of shocks and gains, April seems to have marked the start of a downward trend in the UK power market. The WInter 11 contract is just one example.  
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Japan, Germany & MENA -Global Energy
 
18 March 2011
Bullish gains were seen across the fuels complex as traders and analysts rushed to assess the impact of the devastating earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in Japan as well as Germany's announcement that it was to take 7 nuclear generators offline immediately.  
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Centrica and BE - A Natural Fit?
 
27 August 2008
Invesco – the investment company that owns 15% of British Energy and 5% of Centrica has discussed with the Government the possibility of a merger between the two energy companies.  
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Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
 
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry  
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Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
 
25 March 2011
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though  
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We're borrowing less than expected....
 
20 August 2010
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year.  
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Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
 
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050.  
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European Credit Downgrades add to European Woes
 
13 January 2012
Standard & Poors, the credit rating agency has downgraded 9 eurozone countries: France, Italy,Spain,Cyprus, Portugal, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta. This comes at the end of a week that has seen strengthening oil prices but surpressed UK gas and power markets.  
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November 2011 Review
 
02 December 2011
While debt repayment concerns combined with woeful economic indicators continued to be a feature throughout November, supply and demand fundamentals were an obvious driver too. Unseasonably warm weather combined with (and causing) plentiful gas storage meant that UK power and gas markets went into a nose dive.  
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Turmoil returns on Greek Announcement
 
01 November 2011
Following last weeks announcement that the eurozone leaders had reached an agreement on a Greek bailout - one that would see banks take a 50% hit on their holdings of Greek debt, the Greek Prime Minister made his own shocking announcement that he plans to hold a referendum on the matter. The Markets tumble in response.  
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Eurozone Debt Deal Announced
 
27 October 2011
After prolonged discussions and late night talks, European leaders have announced a agreement on a a Eurozone debt deal. But will the devil be in the detail?  
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