News

• Revival of Green Bank plan in the US?

  05 May 2011

  A 'Green Bank' would provide more flexibility and financing tools than popular US policies such as the loan guarantee and Treasury grant programmes, financing experts said.

• UK could capture a quarter of $750bn marine energy market – Carbon Trust

  05 May 2011

  Waves and tides could provide up to 240GW of renewable energy globally by 2050, requiring investment of £460 billion ($750 billion), according to the Carbon Trust – although the risk exists of "near zero deployment", it warns.

• Environmental regulations grease wheels for another US utility merger

  05 May 2011

  If regulators give the green light to a proposed merger of US utilities Exelon and Constellation Energy, the combined company will be in a better position to finance the continued transition to cleaner energy sources, which in the US goes beyond renewables to include natural gas and clean coal.

• Commission sees market role in protecting wildlife, habitats

  05 May 2011

  Market-based instruments should be one of the tools used to protect global flora and fauna, the European Commission said this week, in a strategy aimed at protecting biodiversity over the next decade.

• Solar firms struggle in tough first quarter

  05 May 2011

  Solar manufacturers have started reporting first quarter results, with policy uncertainty among the factors lowering profits and leading to a gloomy outlook for the next three months.

• Italian solar sector may get three-month subsidy reprieve

  05 May 2011

  Italian solar developers appear to have won a small reprieve, with the government indicating current incentives for solar installations will be extended until the end of August.

• Targets will lift Australian clean energy investment to $39bn by 2020

  04 May 2011

  Renewable energy investment in Australia could total A$36 billion (US$39 billion) over the coming decade, as the country targets 20% clean energy by 2020, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).

• Total makes bid to buy SunPower

  03 May 2011

  French oil firm Total has made a friendly takeover offer for SunPower, which values the California-based solar manufacturer and project developer at $2.3 billion.

• Acquisition boosts Suez Environnement earnings nearly 30%

  02 May 2011

  French water and waste firm Suez Environnement posted a nearly 30% rise in first quarter pre-tax earnings while revenue was up 14%, boosted by the acquisition of Spanish water and services group Agbar.

• AEP sets new 2020 carbon reduction targets, but warns its hands are tied on climate

  28 April 2011

  Giant coal-burning utility American Electric Power (AEP) has set a new goal for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, following the expiry of its targets under the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) programme.