A difficult year, but the future is still bright for EDF

French energy giant EDF has revealed a bigger than expected 40% drop in annual profits, prompting a fall in the company's share price. However, despite the disappointing annual results, EDF's outlook is strong. Indeed, potential plans to sell some French assets in order to boost liquidity would not only ease the company's debt pile but would also appease the European Commission.

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Alstom: surviving on handouts

The bail out agreement between the French government and Alstom [ALS.PA] brings to an end weeks of confrontation between Paris and Brussels over the issue of state aid. However, the deal represents only a stay of execution for Alstom, which must offload businesses if it is to survive.

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Areva: the first nuclear victim of the recession, but will it be alone?

French nuclear energy company Areva has struggled to expand its portfolio in recent years, as have a number of its competitors. Of all reactors being built by 2015, Areva will be responsible for none, while EDF will only be responsible for one. Asian companies may be gaining market share, but this does not dispel the possibility that this is just the beginning of a downturn in the industry.

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Belpex: one small leap for European wholesale market development

Europe's largest power exporter, France, has agreed to wholesale power market coupling with its lowland neighbors, Belgium and the Netherlands. Multinational day-ahead trading is scheduled to commence at Belpex later in November. While this represents a forward step towards a single European energy market, it alone will not redress underlying market inefficiencies.

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Centrica and EDF strike win-win deal, but one wins more than the other

EDF and Centrica have finally struck a deal concluding the long running sale of British Energy. After months of negotiations it will come as a relief to both parties, but while EDF walks away with GBP2.3 billion and a 51% stake in SPE, the terms that Centrica secured will reap more immediate gains for the former UK incumbent.

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Centrica: ever the bridesmaid?

EDF has finally agreed to acquire British Energy, with the promise of a 25% share in the GBP12.5 billion deal for Centrica. The UK government believes that the deal marks significant progress towards securing Britain's future power supply, and by including Centrica, it can claim to have mitigated the negative publicity from effectively placing national energy policy in another government's hands.

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CO2 emissions: Germany implements reductions

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Does Centrica's involvement in the EDF-BE deal still make sense?

In September 2008, EDF announced it was to acquire British Energy for GBP12.5 billion, with a 25% stake going to British utilities giant Centrica as part of the deal. In light of recent declines in commodity prices, Centrica's shareholders have raised questions over the company's involvement in the deal, however, over the long-term, the investment may turn out to be a shrewd move.

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EC: turning timely attention to the interconnector infrastructure linking France and Spain

Spain abounds with solar and wind power capacity, and its numerous LNG import terminals and pipeline entry points make it a resource hub for Europe. However, poor gas and power interconnectors with France risk isolating the Iberian Peninsula and damaging its economic ties with Europe, so help from the EC could not come at a more opportune moment.

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EDF to continue international expansion strategy

EDF chairman Pierre Gadonneix has been quoted by the Financial Times as saying that he plans to make further investments outside of the EU in response to European energy market liberalization. Given the market share that EDF is likely to lose in the wake of liberalization, this is a judicious move, particularly because of the firm's leading nuclear capabilities.

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