Environment-Renewables
Powering debate
Concerns about energy supply security and climate change are causing a nuclear power renaissance in Europe. However, despite changing attitudes, the regulatory, political and financial barriers to nuclear new-build remain significant, finds Roderick Bruce
Staging a comeback
A change in public perception, energy supply concerns and green issues are all driving a nuclear power revival in the US. Technological advances, financial incentives and licence standardisation look set to smooth the process of new build, finds Neil O…
Designing a market
With Canada likely to embark on an emissions-trading scheme this year, Oliver Holtaway looks at the various forms it could take
Investing Philly-style: Aberdeen AM's US fixed-income team
Cross-asset class teamwork coupled with conservative risk management drives Aberdeen Asset Management's investment strategy, leading to a current concentration on MBS and an underweight allocation to corporate bonds. This year they're on the lookout for…
FSA to assist trade bodies committed to PBR
REGULATORY UPDATE
Getting the balance right
Inflation
Over the wall
Compliance
TXU agrees to record $45 billion buyout
The board of TXU Corp, the Dallas-based energy company, has agreed to a $45 billion takeover by private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Texas Pacific Group and Goldman Sachs, the investment bank.
Leaders reach carbon agreement
Delegates at the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue forum in Washington have agreed in principle to the setting up of a global cap-and-trade market for carbon emissions, similar to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
FSA stresses benefits of principles-based regulation
Principles-based regulation will mean significant changes for firms, says Waters
Top of the league
Energy and Commodity Rankings 2007: Energy
A new twist
CPDOs
Foot on the gas
Gazprom Marketing and Trading entered the UK in 1999 with ambitious plans. Today it has a presence in six European countries and trades power, oil, coal and liquefied natural gas. Roderick Bruce meets head of trading Keith Martin and business development…
Full spectrum
In January, Duke Energy spun off its natural gas business into a stand-alone company – Spectra Energy. David Watkins talks with Martha Wyrsch, Spectra president and chief executive, about the benefits of a pure-play firm versus an energy superstore
Phase II takes shape
Despite the EC's tough stance on Phase II national allocation plans, carbon prices are drifting downwards. The potential for legal wrangling and uncertainty over the importing of project-based credits could be to blame, reports Henrik Hasselknippe
Leading the pack
Increased investment in the steadily growing commodity derivatives markets is paying off for many new entrants, but the old guard continues to maintain the biggest piece of the pie. Oliver Holtaway reports
Beyond compliance
Operational risk for the energy sector covers everything from production to transportation. Companies are now seeking sophisticated solutions to integrate op risk into wider risk-management programmes, as Oliver Holtaway reports
Calling for clarity
As a US federal carbon trading scheme begins to look increasingly likely, the current lack of a definitive regulatory framework is frustrating the forward planning of utilities and power suppliers, finds David Watkins
Climate change: FSA warns of risk, predicts opportunities
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has stated in its Financial Risk Outlook 2007 report that climate change poses “considerable risks and challenges to the financial sector”.