New Nukes
Tim Stone is “extremely knowledgeable about nuclear, defence and the private finance initiative (PFI). Tim has a big brain and can absorb enormous amounts of data and process it – and that’s why governments like him.” Dr Stone is chairman of the global infrastructure and projects group at KPMG, one of the big four accountants.
Independent on Sunday 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
British Energy
Last week Centrica, the energy company behind British Gas, tapped its shareholders for £2.2 billion in what will be one of the biggest rights issues outside financial services this year. Unlike the banks, Centrica doesn’t need the money to save itself from destruction. In a harking-back to precredit crunch times, Centrica wants the cash to invest in a new business.
Sunday Times 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
Aberdeen Press & Journal 1st Nov 2008 more >>
Companies
CLYDE Pumps, the Glasgow-based business that entrepreneur Jim McColl bought from the Weir Group last year, has won a £44m order for two nuclear power stations in China. The deal, to supply main feed pumps to the power plants, comes as China looks to significantly increase its nuclear capability. The government plans to build at least six more nuclear plants by 2020.
Sunday Times 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
Nuclear Weapons
In a remarkable speech on nuclear policy delivered October 28 at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), US Defense Secretary Robert Gates painted a dire portrait of international affairs and argued that Washington should expand the doctrine of pre-emptive war formulated by the Bush administration to include possible nuclear strikes.
RINF 1st Nov 2008 more >>
UAE
VT, the FTSE250 support services group, is this week expected to be named as a member of the US-led consortium to manage the United Arab Emirates’ civilian nuclear programme. CH2M Hill, which is helping to oversee the construction of the London 2012 Olympics venue, was awarded the 10-year contract last month. A UAE source said the construction programme could involve six to 14 nuclear plants.
Independent on Sunday 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
Libya
Russia and Libya are negotiating a deal under which Moscow would build nuclear research reactors for the North African state and supply fuel, officials said on Saturday.
Reuters 1st Nov 2008 more >>
Renewables
The fight against climate change will get an unexpected boost today from oil-rich Gulf states which will pledge to invest some of their petrodollar profits in British green energy projects.
Observer 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
Government plans to let communities sell renewable energy to the grid have been criticised for being insufficiently radical by an unlikely alliance of giant retailers, housebuilding groups and country landowners ahead of a Lords’ vote this week.
Observer 2nd Nov 2008 more >>
