As the fallout from the nuclear disaster in Japan continues to worsen, many countries have announced moratoria on further nuclear power development. This is sensible. However the cynic inside me suspects that once the horror dies down, at least in the public consciousness, nuclear power plant construction will be back on the agenda.

Surprisingly (to me, anyway), green stocks have experienced a bounce as a result of Japan’s nuclear crisis. Green technologies tick a box that nuclear fails to, but – as much as it pains me to say it – I can’t see green energy being a long-term winner out of the Japanese disaster. Here’s why: Continue Reading

So here’s what’s bothering me. It is estimated that in the developing world, coal consumption will increase by 20 per cent over the next 20 years. Clearly that’s heading in the wrong direction – and guess where the demand is?

China, which currently generates more than 70 per cent of its electricity with coal, and which will build more power stations in the next 25 years (some say sooner) than America, Japan and the EU currently possess.

Gulp. Time to break out the dinghies! Continue Reading