ADB’s green project in Bhutan wins US Treasury award

A green energy project that aims to increase access to electricity in rural households in Bhutan (pictured) and boost renewable power in India has won the US Treasury’s Development Impact Honours. Called the Green Power Development Project, it is believed to be the first certified cross-border clean development project run by the Asian Development Bank […]

Germany spent €708m on energy research in 2012

Germany spent a total of €708 million (£619m) on research and development of energy technologies last year, according to reports. The figure is believed to have increased from €399 million (£349m) in 2006 – a 77% rise in the last seven years. Reports claim a new study showed most of the research benefitted energy efficiency […]

Could we soon see a rise in water bills?

Consumer will have to fork out the cash for water companies to invest a total of £250 billion to renew the industry’s infrastructure. That amount of investment is needed, according to Eddie Spencer, Head of water at Schneider Electric Professional Services (SEPS), in order to bring the infrastructure – pipe works, reservoirs, vehicles, IT and […]

€64m for energy efficiency in Bulgarian homes and businesses

A London-based bank is providing loans worth €64 million (£56m) in total to help promote energy efficiency in the residential and small and medium sized business (SME) sectors in Bulgaria (pictured). Three Bulgarian banks – Postbank, Peraeus Bank Bulgaria and United Bulgarian Bank – will receive a share of the cash and join the European […]

US bank to pay $410m to settle power rigging probe

A US bank is to pay $410 million (£270.8m) to settle allegations it manipulated energy markets in California and the Midwest from September 2010 to November 2012. The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said JPMorgan Ventures Energy Chase Corporation (JPMVEC) would pay the amount in “penalties and disgorgement” to taxpayers for allegations of market […]

Zero US wind installations in second quarter of 2013

The US wind industry came to a halt this year with no new installations completed in the second quarter of 2013. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the wind power sector “slowed dramatically” in the first half of 2013 due to the late extension of the production tax credit (PTC) and “historic levels” […]

British Gas owner sees half-year profits of £356m

The owner of British Gas has reported a 3.2% rise in half-year profits following a boost in gas consumption during the cold winter months. Centrica saw profits from its residential energy arm increase to £356 million from £345 million over the same period last year after gas usage rose by 13% compared to 2012. British […]

India and China to drive global energy usage

Total energy consumption across the globe could increase by 56% within the next three decades, driven by growth in developing countries such as India and China. The US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) new report predicts world energy usage could rise from 524 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2010 to 630 quadrillion Btu by 2020 […]

Carbon credits cut airlines emissions “cheaply”

A global scheme in which where airlines bought credits to offset their carbon emissions would work out “relatively cheaply” according to new research. Several airlines kicked up a fuss two years ago when the EU slapped an environmental tax – via the Emissions Trading Scheme – on all flights in and out of Europe. Many […]

Thai oil leak threatens beauty spot Koh Samet

Around 50 litres of crude oil which leaked into the Gulf of Thailand over the weekend have reportedly reached the shore and threaten to tarnish a Thai beauty spot. White-suited workers were yesterday frantically trying to stop too much oil reaching the Koh Samet island after a pipeline carrying crude oil leaked as much as […]