HOWZAT

Power to the People: An alternative future

Five Times writers visit six countries with very different approaches to securing a clean, green energy supply

National Grid fears ‘smart metering’ being rushed

Consumers could end up spending billions on redundant technology if the introduction of energy saving devices is rushed

FTSE edges up on fresh gold surge

Commodity shares were in favour amid a fresh surge for gold to a new record price of around $1,217 while banks suffered

Technology ‘must drive global emissions cuts’

New chairman of BP says businesses must take lead in cutting wastage and demand for domestic and international travel

Tullow eyes $1.5bn bid for Ugandan fields

The oil explorer is considering buying out Heritage Oil, its joint venture partner in two fields, by matching an offer from Eni

De Beers in talks with investors over funding

The world’s largest diamond producer has held talks with its three owners about an injection of up to $1bn into the company

Somali pirates seize oil tanker off Seychelles

The 300,000 tonne Maran Centaurus is only the second tanker to be seized by pirates off the East African coast

China to be world's biggest gold market

Analysts predict that already high prices of the precious metal will soar as more buyers flock to this perceived haven

Oil companies rush to float in London

The surge in crude prices is driving backers of at least five oil firms to a £1.2bn bonanza on the UK stock market

Old salt mines offer a safe home for gas

Disused shafts could get a new lease of life as companies line up to spend billions of pounds converting them into gas storage tanks

BP battles Exxon over Ghana oilfield

British oil giant and American rival Exxon Mobil square up for battle over £2.4bn stake in oilfield off the coast of Ghana

UK company to help India harness tidal energy

Atlantis Resources forges deal with state of Gujarat to establish feasibility of power projects

Russian gas to boost UK supplies from 2012

Matthias Warnig, chief executive of Nord Stream, says that imports through the pipeline will help offset North Sea decline

Bringing gas supplies in from the cold

‘The Wall came down and for me it was a great chance,’ recalls Matthias Warnig, head of Nord Stream and ex-Stasi officer

United Utilities to turn into a pure water group

North West water company to sell its last non-core businesses, Northern Gas Networks and Manila Water Company