Solar industry ‘in limbo’ as grants dry up

Renewable energy manufacturers have warned of their ‘frustration’ after a flagship grant scheme for solar power ran out of money less than halfway through the financial year

• Roll-out of smart energy meters to begin
• First clean coal power plant gets green light

Alstom defends winning Areva bid

The French engineering group and Schneider Electric say their planned takeover of the state-owned utility’s business is based on ‘a good economic offer’

ENOC tries to calm Dragon Oil offer fears

Dubai’s national oil company says that it would hold on to its majority stake in the Ireland-based group until at least the end of 2011, ‘whether or not the acquisition is successful’

Thai court rules 65 projects remain suspended

Thailand’s Supreme Court has largely upheld an injunction that halted $12bn worth of petro-chemical and power projects, dragging down the share price of two of the country’s industrial conglomerates

Exxon CEO’s bonus cut by 40%

The US oil company’s board of directors reduces Rex Tillerson’s year-end bonus to $2.4m after its profits were hit by the economic downturn and lower commodity prices

China’s Zijin bids A$545m for Indophil

Zijin Mining Group has offered $498m for Australia’s Indophil Resources, a deal that would propel China’s largest listed gold miner into the ranks of the world’s top copper producers

BP facing fresh scrutiny after Alaska oil spill

BP, the UK oil company, has uncovered a spill on a pipeline in Alaska, which, following major corrosion and resulting spills revealed in 2006 at the field, is likely to raise the ire of regulators

Roll-out of smart energy meters to begin

Every home in Britain will have a ‘smart’ electricity and gas meter fitted under a long-awaited £8bn programme being launched by the government