Apr 2001

The future of the Kyoto Protocol hangs in doubt after President Bush kicked out against the world’s first attempt at a global climate change agreement, claiming it will harm the American economy.

Despite its perennially unpopular image, using nuclear energy to curb greenhouse gas emissions has positively raised its profile. What then, is the future for the nuclear industry?

Over the last 10 years the gas market in Britain has changed dramatically. Now, with the implementation of the European Gas Directive, significant changes are in prospect for the markets in Germany and the rest of Europe

In deregulated electric markets in the US, provider of last resort service has proven to be a major problem for utilities, their regulators, and ultimately the market itself

How should utilities respond strategically to the dramatic changes in the industry environment and avoid the pitfalls that caused so many traditional utilities to destroy shareholder value?

Egypt's electricity output is to be boosted by a $395 million loan from the International Finance Corporation.

Many electricity and gas suppliers in the UK are failing to take advantage of e-commerce, claim FT Energy.

The Ontario government is under pressure from Enron to push ahead with the deregulation of the provincial energy market.

Negotiations between power companies in Zambia and Tanzania are underway for the construction of a 330 kV, 600 km long power line from the north-central town of Serenje in Zambia to Mbeya, in south-western Tanzania.

Mexican President Vincente Fox is still trying to convince the Mexican coalition government that private investment should be welcomed into the country's electricity supply industry, saying that without it Mexico will suffer an energy crisis in a few years even though it has significant oil resources.

It seems that 15 per cent is the ideal stake in the Polish distribution industry: both Electricité de France (EdF) and Belgium’s Tractebel have given that figure as their acquisition target as utility companies start to bid for distribution rights in the country.

State-owned Gaz de France (GdF) will have over euros 2.5 billion ($2.25 billion) available for overseas acquisitions in the 2001-2003 investment period and more for investment within France, said company president Pierre Gadonneix, announcing results for 2000.

Northeast Utilities (NU) has announced it is going ahead with the sales of bonds aimed at recouping costs for plants and power contracts, despite uncertainty in the market for stranded cost bonds following Pacific Gas & Electric Co’s bankruptcy filing.

Business and IT consultancy Real Time Engineering (RTEL) has been appointed by gas and electricity regulator Ofgem to develop a management system to meet its new statutory duties regarding renewable electricity, a result of the Government's Climate Change Levy which was introduced on 1 April.

Britain has agreed to put forward around £200,000 as part of the consultation services cost of the proposed Zambia-Tanzania power interconnection project, according to a senior Tanzanian official.

A 250 MW natural gas-fired plant is expected to be on-line in time for peak summer demand in Baltimore.

Ukraine plans to raise $100 million by selling stakes in three power distribution companies. The sale should assist in restoring foreign financing.

Calpine Corporation has acquired development rights for a 248 MW natural gas-fired plant planned for Goldendale, Washington. Construction is expected immediately and operation envisaged for the summer of 2002.

The Energy Group within Wilmington Publishing, which includes the magazines Modern Power Systems, International Water Power & Dam Construction, Power Economics, Nuclear Engineering International, P3 - Power Plant Products and Dam Engineering, has moved to a new office. The new address for all correspondence is...