World Energy News and analysis on petrol prices, power, solar and wind energy. Latest news covering fuel, gas, diesel, OPEC, offshore drilling and more.

• Responsible Energy Leadership Workshops
  
  It is clear many of the problems that the global energy industry faces today are a failure to provide effective and responsible energy leadership. Examples of energy leadership failure can be seen from the government reports on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident in Japan and Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico. Such incidents could have been either avoided or mitigated if the participating stakeholders had exercised responsible energy leadership. It is clear in both cases that the inherent decision-making culture was not encouraging participants to test and evaluate the suitability, sustainability and implications of their energy leadership decisions.
• Is a Russian Domestic Gas Bubble Emerging?
  
  Recent forecasts for gas supply in Russia produced by Novatek and Gazprom highlight the large amount of gas available to meet demand in the next 10 years and also point to contrasting views about which companies’ production may be preferred in a potentially oversupplied market place. In light of this potential oversupply situation, it is becoming clear that a number of Non-Gazprom producers (NGPs), including Novatek and some Russian oil companies, are taking the view that the Russian gas market will soon become much more competitive and that access to end consumers will become essential for any company wishing to maximise its gas sales.
• Gas- to-Liquids: it’s time to turn to distributed technologies
• The Impact of Russia’s Refinery Upgrade Plans on Global Fuel Oil Markets
  
  While higher fuel specifications and regulatory changes in the bunkers market are most likely to have a big impact on long-term fuel oil demand, a structural shift of a similar magnitude on the supply side is already taking place, particularly in Russia, the largest exporter of fuel oil.
• The Energy North Awards - Nominations Open
  
  The Energy North Awards will take place on Friday 12th October 2012 at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness. The evening celebrates the contribution businesses and individuals have made to developing the energy industry in the Highlands & Islands region whether it be a project, service, technology or investment in skills. Headline Sponsor is Harper Macleod, with event sponsors including Highlands & Enterprise, Technip, DECC.
• 10 WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AT HOME
  
  Saving energy isn't just good for your pocket book, it's also good for the planet. There are many simple things you can do every day to save energy at home.
• The GCC and the Nuclear Question
  
  For a long time, nuclear energy appeared to be an unlikely scenario for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. However, the late 2000s have seen a policy U-turn in the GCC’s attitude toward nuclear power, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia now pursuing plans for their own nuclear reactors by the 2020s.
• LONDON ENERGY BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 2012 VOLUMES IN GAS POWER EMISSIONS AND COAL
  
  London, 06 December 2012 - London Energy Brokers’ Association (“LEBA”), the industry association representing the FSA regulated wholesale market brokers in the OTC and exchange traded UK and liberalised European energy markets, today publishes the regular monthly volume report and additional accompanying analysis covering the main European gas, power, coal and emissions markets.
• Consumers buying less fuel at the pump despite more cars on the road
  
  In the last 10 years, average fuel prices have almost doubled, rising from 73.68 p/l to 136.26 p/l for unleaded petrol, and 75.57 p/l to 142.39 p/l for diesel. The latest Retail Marketing Survey, conducted by the Energy Institute (EI), shows there are more registered UK vehicles on the road than ever before, yet total fuel sales have dropped by 6% since 2002.
• FRACTUALLY INCORRECT: Where are the facts on hydraulic fracturing and climate change?
  
  The debate on fracking is ever increasing in both frequency and intensity. This so-called dash for gas was given the green light earlier this year by our ‘greenest ever’ government after the findings of a joint report by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineers concluded that, with close monitoring, hydraulic fracturing for shale gas should go ahead in the UK.
• Hip Hip Array - World’s largest offshore wind farm goes fully operational
  
  The turbines were installed in the Thames Estuary between January and December last year. First power was generated in October 2012 and with the 175th turbine now online, Phase One of London Array is fully operational.
• Gazprom and Gasunie start working on the Nord Stream expansion project
• LONDON ENERGY BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION MARCH 2013 VOLUMES IN GAS POWER EMISSIONS AND COAL
• Power Blackout Report Reveals South East England is Worst Affected Region for Third Year Running
  
  The report, which is available on request from www.eaton.com/blackoutUK , shows that in 2012 the South East region experienced nearly 30% of the total number of power outages in the UK alone.
• BRAEMAR OPENS NEW CRUDE AND PRODUCTS SHIP BROKING
  
  Braemar Seascope is delighted to announce that it is strengthening its ship broking activities by opening a new division within the group’s Houston offices focusing on the large crude and products tanker trades.
• Lightsource responsible for over a third of UK’s installed solar PV in first quarter of 2013
  
  Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited, the UK’s largest solar energy developer has completed and commissioned over 133 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the first quarter of 2013.
• WELTEC BIOPOWER constructs 1.8 MW plant in Finland
  
  As early as autumn 2013, the plant will produce biomethane refined to natural gas quality, which is suitable for all consumption paths and as such also suitable as fuel for the growing network of Finnish natural gas stations.