Special reports

The changing behaviour of the European and Chinese coal markets and its impact on South African export coal prices.

March 2010: Kay Sever outlines invisible barriers that can sabotage change.

Despite environmental concerns, India will increase its coal burn as power and coal shortages loom. However, the country must still face these environmental and market challenges.

Fernando Luiz Zancan, Brazilian Coal Association, Brazil, provides an overview of the country's coal industry and examines its future prospects.

February 2010: Kay Sever asks if companies really understand their improvement shortfalls?

In my last column of 2009, I ended on a positive note cautiously claiming that all sectors across the energy supply chain were beginning to see signs of a recovery. Let’s take a look at some of the sectors in more detail.

An overview of recent developments in carbon capture and storage

The UK government is working closely with domestic power companies to help keep the UK at the forefront of CCS technology.

Barry Baxter explains how logistics threaten coal developments in Mozambique.

CIC Energy’s Mmamabula project could be the most significant economic milestone in Botswana’s development since the diamond mines opened. However, the project has had to cut back its potential by 50% and could face further uncertainty unless South Africa lets its power generator, Eskom, play a strong card soon.

ASEAN countries have been the subject of fast paced growth over recent years, leading to a growing demand for energy, as well as stepping up the search for alternative fuel sources as oil reserves decline.

As we near the end of 2009, all the energy sectors are starting to show signs of recovery, from nuclear power to renewables, this can be seen in the upsurge in project commissioning.

A report has suggested that alternative energy systems will not be able to completely replace fossil fuels, and a major rethink on the dynamics of the modern world is required to adjust to the changing situation.

Currently reliant on imported gas, Italy is keen to develop its clean coal industry with a pioneering CCS demonstration plant at Porto Tolle and the construction of several high-efficiency coal-fired power plants.

Our existing fleet of fossil-fueled power plants represents a massive investment. With permits and infrastructure already in place, conversion upgrades can produce fast results at greatly reduced cost compared to new construction. Here are some ideas: