Vattenfall: moving into Pole position

Swedish utility Vattenfall intends to expand its presence in Poland through expansion of its asset base. This is a judicious move as the eastern European state is one of Europe's most competitive power markets with much scope for growth in the future.

Published By Datamonitor

Vattenfall: going Dutch for 'super league' dreams

In line with its European expansion plans, Sweden's Vattenfall looks set to add the Netherlands to its growing presence outside its core Nordic market and to beef up its existing assets in Germany and Poland, according to Platts Commodity News. However, the company needs to remember that different markets require different entry strategies.

Published By Datamonitor

US support for Lithuanian LNG plant indicative of frenetic attempts to reduce Russian gas dependence

Following the military conflict in Georgia and the potential 'loss' of the EU-US backed 'fourth corridor' of energy supplies from the Caucuses/Central Asia, liquefied natural gas is rapidly gaining traction across European states as a strategic supply option. Yet it is the US, as much as the EU, that is driving renewed interest in LNG in Europe.

Published By Datamonitor

UK joins non-binding EU agreement to support nuclear

The UK and 11 other EU countries have signaled their support for nuclear generation. Datamonitor expects benefits from such "soft" agreements to be long-term and to include easier access to funding and R&D sharing. In the short term, the UK government's new carbon price floor will make low-carbon generation, including nuclear, more attractive.

Published By Datamonitor

The gloves are off in central European fuel retail

Rapid network expansion and upstream muscle are the unstoppable forces pushing Lukoil to the fore of fuel retailing in central and eastern Europe (CEE). The firm is the key mover in the region, expanding its site presence by a remarkable 180% over the past three years. But selling petrol is not simply a numbers game: Lukoil is also successfully incorporating a strong shop proposition.

Published By Datamonitor

Statoil Polska: a well oiled expansion

The Polish arm of Norway's Statoil has recently announced the opening of two more 24-hour petrol stations, one in Wolsztyn and another in Wroclaw. With Statoil having the advantage of a brand new and rapidly expanding network, incumbents such as PKN Orlen and Grupo Lotos would be well advised to speed up the modernization of their more outdated sites.

Published By Datamonitor

Shell/RWE: if you can't beat them.

Published By Datamonitor

RWE: march across Europe continues

Published By Datamonitor

Polish pipeline success depends on choice of supply source

Plans to build a gas pipeline link between Poland and Germany are continuing to advance. When complete, the pipeline will bring a number of benefits including increased security and diversity of supply, as well as making PGNiG's upcoming IPO more attractive to potential investors. However, judicious choice of gas supplier is key to ensuring the pipeline produces the maximum potential benefits.

Published By Datamonitor

Polish gas market: LNG import terminal could secure supply

In an effort to reduce Poland's dependence on Russian gas, and ultimately enhance the country's energy supply security, national incumbent PGNiG is building an LNG import facility on its Baltic coast. However, the facility, which is set to be completed by 2011, could face numerous setbacks.

Published By Datamonitor