GE’s bid for Areva arm poses questions

The sale of Areva’s power transmission and distribution subsidiary sparks speculation about whether France really is ready to choose a foreign bid over a home-grown solution

• Pennon weathers worst of crisis
• National Grid profits rise despite drop in demand

Pennon weathers worst of crisis

The water and waste management group saw half-year profits rise 13% on the back of a strong performance by its two subsidiaries

CIC buys 20% stake in solar operator

China Investment Corp said it has bought a 20 per cent stake in GCL-Poly Energy, a Hong Kong-listed solar power plant operator, for HK$5.5bn (US$705m) as the sovereign wealth fund takes a bet on new energy

National Grid profits rise despite drop in demand

The supplier of electricity and gas in the UK and US reported a 16% rise in interim pre-tax profits despite a fall in demand from energy customers due to the recession

New EDF chief voices dissent

Henri Proglio has sparked a controversy just days before he takes over at France’s state-controlled nuclear operator by claiming the country’s showcase atomic industry is not working

Businesses told of rising risk

Companies that operate abroad face increased risks to their investments in 2010 as the impact of the recession creates new challenges

BHP chief says big mining will meet demand

Big mining houses have the capacity to meet rising demand for fuels and ores, says Marius Kloppers, downplaying fears by industrialising nations over ‘resources security’

Tankers store oil as futures prices rocket

A research by a London shipbroker reveals that one in 12 of the world’s largest crude oil tankers are being used to store oil rather than move it from place to place