Ukraine has had its gas supplies from Russia cut off due to the ongoing dispute between the two nations, which could lead to a Europe-wide shortage in the coming months. Gazprom is Russia’s government-owned gas giant, and has now informed Ukraine that it needs to settle its debt and pay for any future gas supplies upfront. All supplies passing through … Read More
Centrica plans oil and shale gas exploration
The parent company of British Gas is seeking to generate more of its own energy, due to its increasing reliance on foreign imports. Centrica, owner of British Gas, has announced a new 2 year partnership with Cuadrilla Resources to extract shale gas at 7 wells across Lancashire. Fracking will take place at 6 new wells, as well as the one … Read More
Is Britain’s energy security at risk?
With EDF Energy still in talks with the government about building new nuclear plants, are we at real risk of running out of electricity? Britain could have a new ‘fleet’ of nuclear power plants by 2030, if all goes well, but the first of the 18 projects is under threat. EDF is negotiating hard with the government about the subsidy … Read More
Drax power station: coal to biomass
The largest carbon emitter Britain is to stop burning coal to comply with EU laws, and will instead burn imported American wood chips. Running on coal, Drax has long been a symbol of Britain’s energy industry, but its move to biomass means it is fast becoming a symbol of our confusing and convoluted present day energy policy. Built right next … Read More
North Sea gas field to be brought back online
Nearly a year after a significant leak was found, a gas field operated by Total Gas & Power is to be restarted. Production at the Elgin gas platform, which is situated 240 km east of Aberdeen, was suspended when gas was found leaking last March. The investigation into what caused the leak is still ongoing, but the Health & Safety … Read More
Wholesale gas prices rise as Europe freezes
Energy suppliers are warning that wholesale gas is being traded at significantly higher prices than it was a fortnight ago. In winter 2012 we rely on imported gas more than ever. This was the main reason given for the recent winter price rises made by all big six suppliers, and it seems foreign imports are not just a problem in … Read More
5,000 Solar firms go bust in Germany in 2011
Germany’s once booming solar power industry is declining at an alarming rate, with 20,000 jobs being lost in 2011 alone. Germany once had the biggest solar industry in the world, providing around 150,000 jobs by 2010, but that bubble seems to be starting to burst, as demand for solar technology drops, government subsidies are cut and competition from cheaper Asian … Read More
COP17: Durban Platform means Kyoto II in 2015
After weeks of stalling climate talks, 194 countries finally managed to agree to sign up to Kyoto II in 2015, after agreeing a new text known as the ‘Durban Platform’. A week ago it looked likely that talks would fall apart as they did in Copenhagen , seemingly with China, India and the US all at loggerheads over signing the … Read More
China, India & the US still at loggerheads after a week at 2011 Durban Climate Conference
Representatives from 194 countries around the world have been at COP17 in climate talks for the past week trying to get Kyoto II signed, but the US, China & India are barely even talking. With global carbon emissions higher than ever before, the UNFCCC is pushing hard for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, but the two fastest growing economies … Read More
Weightman to release report on nuclear power
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is expected to use the report on the Fukushima disaster by Mike Weightman to push the UK’s new nuclear power program. The report on what can be learned from the Fukushima disaster is expected to kick-start the UK’s nuclear programme, despite criticism from Greenpeace and other environmental groups that it has been rushed through. Anti-nuclear protesters … Read More