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UK Energy Policy – Prescribed by Germany and France?

First published in the Quoted Cleantech newsletter, January 2011. Copyright Cleantech Investor 2011

by Nigel Hawkins

The last few weeks have been busy times in the EU and UK energy sectors – and the next few months are unlikely to be any different.

Whilst the issue of UK energy policy elicits many strong – and often countervailing – views, there is one genuine constant, namely the widespread belief in a mixed energy policy. Of course, within that general consensus, there are polarising views as to whether such a policy should embrace nuclear power – and especially the construction of new nuclear-build.

Renewables – an annus horribilis?

First published in the Quoted Cleantech newsletter, January 2011. Copyright Cleantech Investor 2011

Back in 1992, the Queen famously described the year as her “annus horribilis”, dominated as it was by family separations/divorces and the Windsor Castle fire.

Renewables – Increasingly exposed to the euro fallout?

First published in Quoted Cleantech, December 2010. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd. 2010

Over the last few weeks, the financial markets have been dominated by the ongoing euro crisis as the authorities desperately seek to prevent contagion, not to mention the ongoing traumas of the banking sector, most specifically in Ireland.

Renewables Demergers – Enhancing Value or Raising Risks?

First published in Quoted Cleantech, September 2010. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd. 2010

In recent years, several well-known utilities have sought to increase shareholder value by demerging their renewables assets. In effect, they have sought to monetise their exposure to the renewables sector which has attracted so much investor interest.

This trend is set to continue since Italy’s ENEL plans to float a minority stake in its renewables business, ENEL Green Power, this October. The stock flotation is designed to raise more than £3 billion for ENEL, which would help to reduce the utility’s overall net debt figure (currently in excess of £40 billion).

The Coalition Government’s 32 Action Points

First published in the Quoted Cleantech Newsletter August 2010. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd 2010

by Nigel Hawkins

Perhaps in a quest to emulate John Buchan’s famous book, The 39 Steps, the UK’s Coalition Government, whose Energy Minister is the Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne, has set out its energy policy via its Annual Energy Statement. The Statement includes 32 action points.

However, what is paramount is new base-load generation investment, the key ingredient of Ofgem’s estimated £200 billion energy-related bill over the next decade or so.

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