British Energy
Centrica is planning to offer a cash sweetener for the Government’s stake in British Energy in an effort to secure its backing for a £22.5bn merger with the nuclear power generator. The owner of British Gas is galvanising up to £4bn to cover the cost of part or all of the stake in the hope that cash will persuade the Government to allow it a place in the deal. Centrica is fighting against resistance from ministers to the idea that it could form a national energy champion in the face of overwhelming support in Whitehall for a takeover of British Energy by EDF, the utility which is majority-owned by the French government.
Telegraph 10th Aug 2008 more >>
New nukes
Letter: The only technology that is currently capable of supplying our electrical needs is nuclear. France generates at least 80% of its electricity from nuclear power stations and provides both domestic and industrial customers with reasonably priced and secure supplies. Why on earth can’t our government simply get on with providing Britain with a similar system?
Sunday Times 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Scotland
ALEX Salmond’s renewables policy will come under attack from business groups this week ahead of a Parliamentary inquiry into Scotland’s future energy provision. Business groups warn that Salmond’s target of generating 50% of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 does not “stand up to scrutiny” and the Government should look at all energy sources, including nuclear and coal, with the aim of making Scotland self-sufficient in the future.
Scotland on Sunday 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Scotland is drawing up plans to build the world’s longest electricity connector – to Norway – to help meet its renewable targets and end its dependence on nuclear power. The whole project could cost more than £2bn. Jim Mather, the Scottish Executive’s energy minister, will meet his Norwegian counterpart in October to discuss the proposal.
Observer 10th Aug 2008 more >>
The Scottish government is in talks with two Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds to provide the cash for a £4.8bn offshore energy grid, to be built off the east coast of the UK. Scottish Development International (SDI), the government’s inward investment agency, has been in discussions with the funds for two months. One is known to be from the United Arab Emirates, and SDI is opening an office in Dubai to tap into the region’s vast funding potential. Paul O’Brien, SDI’s senior executive for renewable energy development, said that the grid would “accelerate offshore wind, wave and tidal energy projects in Scotland”.
Independent on Sunday 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Iran
U.S.-allied Kuwait urged Iran on Saturday to resolve tensions with the West over its nuclear programme, saying the dispute undermined the interests of Gulf states with which it shares a vital oil export route.
Reuters 9th Aug 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
NAGASAKI’S mayor commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the world’s second atomic bomb attack yesterday with a call for stricter measures against North Korea, Pakistan and Israel for their possession of nuclear weapons.
Scotland on Sunday 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Express 9th Aug 2008 more >>
Coal
Protesters battled with police yesterday but failed to shut down Kingsnorth coal plant as the climax of the week-long climate camp ended with a series of skirmishes.
Observer 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Telegraph 10th Aug 2008 more >>
Times 9th Aug 2008 more >>
A dramatic warning that “all is lost on global warming” unless the world finds a new clean coal technology in the next few years has been made by the UK energy minister, Malcolm Wicks. He insists in a Guardian interview that “the stakes are that high”, as he seeks to justify pressing ahead with a new generation of coal-fired power stations starting at Kingsnorth in Kent, currently the site of a major protest.
Guardian 9th Aug 2008 more >>
Carbon Trading
Energy companies are set to scoop even bigger windfall profits from emissions trading than originally predicted, according to new estimates from the regulator Ofgem. Hard-pressed consumers could end up bankrolling most of this windfall through higher fuel bills.
Observer 10th Aug 2008 more >>
