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

• North Sea in decline but plenty still to extract
• Road to Copenhagen

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

Doosan focuses energy on renewables

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, South Korea’s biggest power plant and equipment maker, is investing Won700bn to develop wind turbines and other green technologies

Vattenfall prepares to name new chief

The Swedish power group, is close to naming a new chief executive to succeed Lars Josefsson

Mixed fortunes seen by Centrica

The owner of British Gas is likely to meet market estimates of about a 4% drop in profits this year, but profits from its residential supply business are expected to rise

Executives arrested in Italy wind farm probe

Police said the charges related to fraud involved in obtaining public subsidies to construct wind farms. They are also investigating the sale of wind farms to foreign companies

Vattenfall drops plan for nuclear investment

The state-owned Swedish power group has put on hold the sale of its domestic electricity distribution business and invest in UK nuclear power amid a political storm over the proposals

SSE chief vows to try to hold prices

Scottish and Southern Energy will try to hold its retail prices unchanged for as long as possible