Royal Dutch Shell 'changing emphasis' as profits fall

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is stepping up asset disposals as part of a strategy that will see the company "changing emphasis" in 2014.

Fracking firms 'should pay £6bn a year tax to compensate for climate change'

Shale frackers operating in Britain should be paying £6bn a year in taxes by the middle of the 2020s to compensate for the damage wreaked on the environment, according to a study from Cambridge University.

China’s Premier Li Says Governments Should Use New-Energy Cars

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said governments should take a leading role in promoting alternative energy-powered vehicles, according to a statement posted on the central government’s website yesterday.

Oil price volatility undermines economic growth, says Sir David King

Governments need to deter oil speculators, set aside reserves of crude oil and take steps urgently to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels in order to escape price volatility that undermines stable economic growth, according to a report co-authored by one of Britain's top scientists.

Crude Falls First Time in Five Days on Emerging Economies

West Texas Intermediate crude fell for the first time in five days as equities declined on concern that growth in emerging economies will slow, reducing fuel use.

Russia to double oil, gas flows to Asia by 2035

MOSCOW: Russia plans to at least double its oil and gas flows to Asia over the next 20 years, a draft of its energy strategy showed on Friday, part of a pivot away from export routes to Europe.

Davos: Fracking to boost UK economy, David Cameron says

Shale gas extraction through fracking can boost the economy and encourage businesses to come back to the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

Iran extends energy olive branch to West

Davos (Switzerland) (AFP) - Iran on Thursday stepped up its efforts to woo investors and normalise its relations with the West with an offer to help create a new multilateral body tasked with stabilising global energy supplies.

Big Six energy provider RWE halves investment in renewables

RWE, one of Britain's biggest renewable energy investors, is planning to significantly scale back its spending in the UK and expects to sell off wind farms and a major biomass plant.

Oil demand to rise as global economy recovers, energy watchdog says

Global oil demand will increase more quickly this year as economic growth accelerates, outstripping supply even as shale oil production in the United States reaches record highs, the west's energy watchdog said on Tuesday.

EU wants common rules for shale gas 'fracking'

BRUSSELS: The European Commission wants EU member states to accept common environment and health rules if they use controversial 'fracking' to develop shale gas resources.

Cut carbon emissions by 40% in 16 years, Ed Davey tells EU

Ed Davey, the energy secretary, has called on EU heads of state to endorse a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, but reject a specific binding renewables target.

EU carbon dips after hitting two-week high

LONDON: European carbon prices were on course to end a three-day bull-run on Wednesday as traders sold permits shortly after prices broke above 5 euros for only the second time this year.

Japan's Toshiba to buy 60% stake in UK nuclear venture

Japan's Toshiba has agreed to buy a controlling stake in UK nuclear venture NuGeneration, which aims to build three power plants in north-west England.

Renewable energy firms 'looking to hire more staff'

More than half of companies working in the renewable energy sector in Scotland are looking to hire staff this year, according to a survey.

Big Oil joins U.K. shale gas hunt

Total has become the first major energy company to invest in the U.K's budding shale industry as the country prepares to exploit its unconventional gas reserves.

Libya oil crisis exacerbated by push for autonomy

TRIPOLI: Libya is suffering a profound economic and political crisis, running out of cash because autonomy-seekers are blocking key oil exports, while a movement is afoot in congress to unseat the fragile government.

Wind power was Spain's top source of electricity in 2013

Remarkable new figures from Spain's grid operator have revealed that greenhouse gas emissions from the country's power sector are likely to have fallen 23.1% last year, as power generation from wind farms and hydroelectric plants soared.

China Crude Imports Rise to Record High as New Refineries Start

China, which consumes more oil than any country except the U.S., boosted net crude imports to a record high last month as two new refineries prepared to begin operations.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority axes commercial director role

The role of commercial director of the much criticised public body overseeing the cleanup of Britain's old nuclear power stations has been axed amid a wider management shakeup.

Canadian Freight Train Catches Fire After Jumping Rails

A Canadian National Railway Co. (CNR) train carrying crude oil and propane derailed in the eastern province of New Brunswick and sparked a blaze that was still burning more than 12 hours after the accident.

Natural gas prices surge on cold snap

Natural gas prices surged and demand reached an all-time high Tuesday as the coldest weather in decades descended upon much of the United States.

Western Sahara dispute dims Morocco's solar dreams

RABAT (Reuters) - A Moroccan solar project worth some $9 billion (6.6 billion euros) aimed at turning desert sun into lucrative power exports to Europe could be at risk as international lenders balk at plants planned for the disputed Western Sahara.

BP wins first Greenland drilling concession despite chequered record

BP has won permission to drill in the clear waters off Greenland, just three and a half years after abandoning similar plans to apply for a licence in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon blowout.

ScottishPower to cut energy bills by 3.3pc in wake of government green levy deal

Energy giant ScottishPower is preparing to cut household bills by 3.3pc, becoming the fourth major supplier to pass on savings from the Government’s deal to cut green levies, The Telegraph has learnt.

German Power Costs Seen Dropping for Fourth Year: Energy

Power prices in Germany, Europe’s biggest electricity market, probably will weaken for a record fourth consecutive year as utilities add the most coal-fired capacity in more than a decade.

UK opposition to new EU green energy targets could risk 'half a million jobs'

Over half a million new jobs over the next two decades could be at risk from the UK's opposition to new EU targets for green energy, according to a leaked official report from the European commission.

Simpler energy tariffs will 'restore confidence'

London (AFP) - Reforms to energy tariffs aimed at creating a simpler market will help restore consumer confidence, regulator Ofgem said on Thursday.

Iran nuclear agreement will mean expanded role for IAEA

The Iran nuclear accord agreed in Geneva this weekend will rely heavily on the International Atomic Energy Agency to make it stick, requiring more inspectors to carry out many more visits.