Biofuels look set to become more contentious than ever following a leaked report by the World Bank. According to the Guardian, the report claims that world food prices have lately increased by 75%, and points to biofuel production as the primary cause. The figures are drastically out of line with the US government's estimation of a 3% global food price rise, although the forthcoming report on the impact of biofuels commissioned by the British government is expected to tally with the World Bank's data. Norway, meanwhile, has confirmed that it will not be reversing its biofuel plans in light of the news.
In utilities news, it has transpired that British Gas is considering a price hike of up to 15% in August. The Centrica-owned company is contemplating the move as a possible method to improve profitability. British Gas's profit margins are low due to high supply costs, with forward gas prices for delivery in January 2009 well over double the previous year's figures. Price fluctuations are a threat that the Centrica Group is particularly vulnerable to, as it is reliant on buying fuel from other providers. Gas prices are high partly due to their connection to global oil prices, and partly due to supply shortages in the North Sea.
spacer
Biofuels and Gas Price
Four CCS leaders named by Hutton - Energy Digital UK
BP Alternative Energy International Limited, EON UK plc, Peel Power Limited and Scottish Power Generation Limited were selected from nine contenders based on their responses to the pre-qualification questionnaire, submitted to the Department for Business at the end of March. click link
Ultra high voltage (UHV) solutions.
Areva T&D is the first to conform with the next level of power transmission voltage at 1,200 KV in the country to meet the Power Grid Corp of India Ltd's (PGCIL) requirements for the national grid by 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
