Feb 2001

California continues to lurch through its energy crisis as utilities, consumers and politicians scramble for some kind of solution. Rolling blackouts, a declared state of emergency and with almost a month of continuous stage three alerts, at which point supplies are within 1.5 per cent of demand, have seen a raft of schemes proposed.

The start-up of the Russian-designed Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic has stirred controversy, notably in neighbouring Austria. But is the facility really a significant danger?

The Gaza strip is one of the most volatile regions of the world and as such is viewed with some trepidation by potential independent power project investors. However, a power project has been successfully financed By Alan Kerr Arab bank plc

During the past decade, the concept of privatisation in the electricity sector in Latin America has been widely embraced, but is private sector investment really able to deliver on plans for development? By James Scruby Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein

Green certificate trading is seen as the most cost effective and likely method for achieving real reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. Denmark has taken several important steps in the development of such a market By Hans-Erik Kristoffersen Association of Danish Energy Companies

The development of effective auditing methods and robust verification protocols is fundamental to all emissions reduction activity. Through verification stakeholders gain confidence in reporting processes and the data they provide. By Melanie Eddis KPMG Sustainability Advisory Services

Global warming and its potentially devastating effects are high on the international agenda and, as demand for energy continues to rise, the level of political mind-share on the subject is surely set to increase By Peter Cassidy & Mark Raymont Partner & Senior Associate in Masons Energy Group

There are good reasons to think that the global power sector is converging with respect to structure, strategy and service offerings. By David Haarmeyer Cambridge Energy Research associates

Advantica Technologies has announced a two year deal with Capstone Turbines for the supply of 250 microturbine units.

Investment bank UBS Warburg has begun coverage of a spread of renewable energy companies.

Plastics and chemicals giant DuPont has announced the formation of a new fuel cells division.

Sluggish demand for power has seen plans by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) for the construction of new power plants frozen for three to five years.

A wave of US power station acquisitions with some 7.3 GW changing hands over the past month or so could be indicative of market volatility boosting the value in owning generation.

Global Environment Facility (GEF), an international agency backed by the UN, World Bank, the African and Asian Development Banks and the EBRD among others, claim renewable energy markets around the world are set to take off.

Concerns that delays to a planned privatisation of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) may leave the country in danger of power cuts within five years have been lifted by the news that the new administration intends to proceed with the programme.

Germany's E.On utility giant has made a bid for all of the outstanding equity for Swedish power company Sydkraft.

UK-based nuclear generator British Energy has announced a move to begin developing large-scale off-shore wind generation having formed a partnership with Renewable Energy Systems Inc.

A survey has shown that throughout much of Europe the benefits of deregulation in the energy sector have yet to be fully realised.