
09 August 2007
The Open Europe report makes bad reading for most EU countries and is critical of the way in which the EU ETS operates. For a group reknowned for slating Europe in general it holds no punches back.
An open Europe Report entitled "Europe's Dirty Secret: Why the ETS isn't working" slates the European Emissions market. It shows that there is gaming between countries specifically Germany using allocations in their Phase II NAP to subsidise the most polluting power plants. This is an attempt to fund the recent coal subsidies which have existed for many years.
The report also highlights the EU's tendency to look at investments outside of Europe, where many players are relying on CER and JI projects to make up their differences. There is no doubt that if the scheme is to bite then players are going to have finance their own abatement schemes. This also requires further commitments to a Phase III and even a Phase IV as this will allow players to price all long term projects.
The overall aim was to create money which would be channelled into a technological shift. In reality, this has not happened, companies have profiteered too much.
CRC- What Price?
 
03 February 2012
In November it was reported that traders in the UK energy markets were beginning to place bets that the Government will not go ahead with its controversial Carbon Floor Price. The Carbon Floor Price has relevance to the CRC, not least because some commentators have suggested that the fixed price levels could track the known Carbon Floor Price. Current EUA prices also seem vastly at odds to the proposed CRC price. British business is lobbying hard for a level and competitive playing field.  
read more...
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  
read more...
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.  
read more...
Capacity Payments Discussed as a Tool to encourage Investment
 
30 June 2010
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development.  
read more...
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.  
read more...
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.  
read more...
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.  
read more...
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?  
read more...
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.  
read more...
Capacity Payments Discussed as a Tool to encourage Investment
 
30 June 2010
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development.  
read more...
Investing in the Future
 
11 June 2010
The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. Should this sector suffer?  
read more...
Queens Speech: Energy Bill Outlined
 
25 May 2010
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill.  
read more...
Green Investment Bank still a Concept
 
16 July 2010
Leading figures from across industry warned that the need for new tools to finance future investment in infrastructure are necessary to secure Britain's growth as a low carbon economy. While the coalitions Green Investment Bank (GIB) is supported, it is important to recognise that it is still at present only a concept.  
read more...
Queens Speech: Energy Bill Outlined
 
25 May 2010
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill.  
read more...
Government announces Green Investment Bank
 
24 March 2010
in the last budget before a general election, the Government unveiled plans to set up a Green Investment Bank that will control £2bn worth of equity. Initial focus will be investments in green transport and sustainable energy.  
read more...
Nothing's Joined Up
 
01 March 2010
Sometimes you get so caught up in the detail that it is only when you step back that you realise that nothing appears to be joined up. With such mixed signals it is surprising that anything is achieved at all. In this instance we are talking about the UK's Climate policy!  
read more...