European energy: UK leads the way in generation capacity liberalization

Published By Datamonitor

European NAPs: self-interest rules at present

Several German utilities have drafted an open letter to the country's government complaining about the national allocation plan for the second phase of the EU ETS. With over a quarter of carbon allocations for the second phase and a strong Green Party, Germany has to lead on the issue of the ETS, not drag its feet and complain about the costs.

Published By Datamonitor

Feed-in tariffs in Germany: consumers are paying the price for renewable energy development

The German Renewable Act has successfully increased renewable energy capacity from 6% of total generation capacity in 2000 to 16% in 2009. However, in order to compensate for higher demand, lower wholesale prices and last year's levy deficit, German consumers will have to foot a bill of E13.5 billion in 2011. This should be a warning to other countries of the immediate costs of such policies.

Published By Datamonitor

Fissures in Europe's fission industry

German engineering giant Siemens' decision to divest its 34% stake in Areva NP must have been a painful one. In walking away from the nuclear reactor production joint venture, Siemens loses a stake in the promising European pressurized reactor at a time of 'nuclear renaissance'. The decision will also cause problems for Areva, given the potential threat of further political meddling.

Published By Datamonitor

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.

Published By Datamonitor

Gazprom/Soteg power joint venture a judicious move for all

Plans by Russia's Gazprom and Luxembourg's Soteg to build a gas-fired power station in Germany appear to be a shrewd move for all parties concerned. However, sensitivities in Germany regarding overdependence on Gazprom may emerge given the company's already strong role in the Germany energy sector.

Published By Datamonitor

Geothermal could account for a significant amount of UK energy if government support is increased

Deep geothermal energy in the UK has the potential to accommodate an installed capacity of 9.5GW of electrical power and 100GWth of heat to the nation's consumers, according to the Renewable Energy Association and a new report by engineering consultants Sinclair Knight Merz. Realizing this, however, will require government buy-in.

Published By Datamonitor

German energy policy meets further resistance

As the German energy regulator initiates liberalization policies, it is not only coming up against resistance from energy companies keen on maintaining the status quo, such as Vattenfall, but also has to deal with a government policy that runs counter to deregulation.

Published By Datamonitor

German energy policy: efficiency drive provides atomic smokescreen

Berlin has announced plans to double energy efficiency by 2020, relative to consumption and economic output in 1990. While current GDP growth rates suggest that net demand-side reduction be necessary to meet this target, German energy policy has more immediate supply-side issues to address.

Published By Datamonitor

German manufacturer Bosch exits solar PV market

A saturated market and continued degression of solar feed-in tariffs in Germany are pushing equipment manufacturers out of business, a trend that appears set to continue amid concerns about the costs of the country's renewable support act. This trend is symptomatic of a global solar PV market that is seeing only the most solid manufacturers remain.

Published By Datamonitor