Enron: turning Japanese for expansion?

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Aggreko: World Cup confirms the power of rental

Aggreko continues to impress as a company on the up: its rising share price over the last five years bears testament to the success of the organization. As power demand increases across the world, often in geographically remote locations, concerns over security supply issues remain, and rental power companies look set to stay successful. <BR />

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Tepco: nuclear shutdown

Japanese power giant Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has announced the shutdown of the last of its nuclear reactors. This puts the government's long-term energy plans at risk as Japan may face an acute electricity shortage in the summer.

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UK energy: nuclear option key to supply diversity

With increasing demand for energy, restricted supply, and Kyoto targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet, the case for building new nuclear plants, once dismissed as a last resort, is rapidly regaining force. The importance of the nuclear role as part of a diverse generation portfolio must not be underestimated.

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G8 energy: all for none?

At the G8 summit in Russia, leaders once again demonstrated that these events are merely a meeting of minds, not a mechanism to create aligned policy. There was little unanimity on nuclear and it is clear that Russia, as a net exporter of gas, has different priorities.

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New food review: watermelons shaping up to provide a refreshing alternative

Some unusual fruit products have been noted by Productscan this month, such as carbon dioxide injected fresh fruit, square watermelons and sausages filled with goji berries, a so-called super-fruit. The release of these products highlights the growing consumer interest in healthier food options, with manufacturers seeking innovative ways to present their offerings to appeal to this growing trend.

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UK LNG: foreign suppliers are failing to deliver

UK wholesale gas prices have been at a premium to the US market; however, this has failed to encourage LNG shippers, which have diverted tankers away from the UK. Cargo needs, capacity planning and concerns about the security of supply should be raised, given that market fundamentals are not at work. A supply failure, albeit temporary, must be corrected for the market to function efficiently.

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Japan: pursuing Australia's natural gas resources

For the past three years, Australia has hosted a thrilling race to develop its coal seam gas resources. BG Group is the current market leader, with other IOC/NOC joint ventures close behind; Shell made the most recent move, offering to acquire the remaining shares of its partner Arrow Energy. Yet, with competition continuing apace, Japan's strategic purchases have been largely overlooked.

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Electric car market to benefit from industry standard for recharging

A number of interested parties, including Toyota and Nissan, have joined together to create the CHAdeMO Association, which will ensure the standardization of charging points for electric cars in Japan. While many uncertainties for the technology remain, this is a significant step that will remove a major potential stumbling block as the first mass-produced zero-emissions car is launched.

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Osaka Gas: redefining the super major

Japan's dependence on liquefied natural gas imports has created a market situation whereby the country boasts a large number of integrated energy companies. However, having invested significantly in Spain's Sagunto terminal, Osaka Gas is leading the way in breaking free of the burden of merely meeting domestic demand to show promise in other fields.

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