British Energy
There was anger yesterday after it emerged Somerset’s nuclear power station at Hinkley Point could be about to fall into foreign hands. British Energy, the company which owns the UK’s eight existing nuclear power stations, confirmed yesterday it is in talks about its future. Anti-nuclear campaigners yesterday claimed the announcement is part of the move to pave the way towards building the next generation of nuclear reactors. French power giant EDF and British Gas owner Centrica are thought to be the front runners in the bidding for the company which almost collapsed four years ago.
Western Daily Press 17th March 2008 more >>
The UK government wants to include nuclear in its energy mix Shares in British Energy have climbed sharply after it said it was in talks that could
lead to a “business combination or an offer” for the firm. The company saw shares rise nearly 19% to 680 pence a share after saying it was talking to “interested parties”.
BBC 17th March 2008 more >>
British Energy is in talks with a number of rivals, which could lead to a tie-up or a takeover offer that some say would value the country’s main nuclear power generator at more than £7bn. Shares in the British company soared by nearly 20% after it confirmed the discussions but declined to identify any of the potential partners or predators.
Guardian 18th March 2008 more >>
Telegraph 18th March 2008 more >>
Herald 17th March 2008 more >>
Times 18th March 2008 more >>
There is a strong chance British Energy will be bought by an overseas energy giant, such as France’s EDF. That worries some, who say too many of our utility suppliers are already owned by foreign firms. Campaigners also fear customers will pay more – whoever gets their hands on British Energy – as the country’s energy market is dominated by a few major players.
Mirror 18th March 2008 more >>
Romania
Romania plans to build a second nuclear power station to ensure its future energy independence, the head of Nuclearelectrica, Teodor Chirica, said. ‘After 2020, we’ll need a second nuclear power plant, with between two and four reactors,’ Chirica said at an energy strategy seminar here.
Forbes 17th March 2008 more >>
Companies
Fourteen new jobs are being created as a nuclear firm relocates to one of the most famous addresses in Lancashire’s manufacturing history. Studsvik, which operates as a consultant to the nuclear sector, is shifting its local operations from Fulwood to the new Ribble House development on the site of the former Baxi Heating base in Bamber Bridge.
Lancashire Evening Post 18th March 2008 more >>
Mr Sarkozy was frustrated with Siemens’ retention of a stake in Areva, the French nuclear group, though Germany had renounced building new atomic power stations.
FT 18th March 2008 more >>
Some Siemens investors fear that further losses could come from a nuclear power contract in Finland.
FT 18th March 2008 more >>
Climate
The government is in danger of losing credibility on climate change because more than half of all its departments are failing to reduce their carbon emissions enough to reach levels that the nation as a whole is expected to meet. Apart from the Ministry of Defence, which significantly reduced its emissions in 2005/6 following a part privatisation, central government now emits 22% more than it did in 1999, according to the sustainable development commission.
Guardian 18th March 2008 more >>
Star Wars
Vladimir Putin appeared to pave the way for a breakthrough deal within weeks on the Pentagon’s contentious missile shield plans yesterday when he responded positively to an offer from George Bush. With the White House and the Kremlin preparing Putin’s swansong summit with Bush at a Nato meeting in two weeks in Romania, the outgoing Russian president appeared to soften his opposition to US plans for missile interceptors and a radar site in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Guardian 18th March 2008 more >>
