
04 December 2007
Germans submit reasons why they think the EU has it wrong, and whilst it is not the UK way of doing things it might not be wrong.
The EU has had a debate with regard to the future of the European energy markets, and they have concluded that an unbundled traded market is the best. Not surprisingly the UK Swedes and Danes all support this (they led with defranchisation and have traded markets in the form of the UK market and Nordpool.
The Germans feel that if they unbundled their networks then lack of investment would ensue and th network would degrade too quickly. Before Powerisk rubbishes this sentiment it is fair to say that the Germans have a point, rail track in the UK is a case in point of this very phenomena. Perhaps the part the Germans forget is that in the UK the National Grid have an obligation to maintain the networks, if not the fines are huge and whats more they have the scope to invest in network development. In this country it works, but it may not work in Germany.
It perhaps proves that EU approach of all can fit and conform is perhaps a bit far fetched.
60 %
Ofgem with two pronged approach.
 
28 November 2005
Ofgem shows its teeth by commisioning two investigations and also suggests that
they are watching the LNG gas facilities at Grain very carefully.  
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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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25GW of off-shore wind farms
 
10 December 2007
The DTI (as was) has highlighted a potential 25GW of off-shore wind farms, if accurate there are still significant planning obstacles.  
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Two Years On...
 
17 September 2010
This week marked the 2nd Anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, perhaps the most significant collapse of the banking crisis. Ironic perhaps then that the anniversary coincided with the publication of stricter international banking rules requiring banks to hold larger cash reserves. How will these banking regulations impact energy companies?  
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Falling Wholesale Prices but what about the tariffs?
 
18 September 2009
Even though the power wholesale market is following the falls seen in gas (Winter 09 Baseload closed the week down £0.20MWh at £38.70), and is now at levels where supplier tariffs must be under pressure, any tariff reduction announcements are unlikely to be made anytime soon.  
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