Category: Sectors

Sep 13

Dark energy, the mysterious cosmic force

Dark energy, the mysterious cosmic force thought to be the fuel behind the accelerating expansion of the universe, is real, according to an Anglo-German team of astronomers after a two-year study. However, the scientists declare to have no idea of what it consists of (Reuters).

Sep 13

The German Constitutional Court’s “yes-but” answer to the ESM Treaty

The conditional approval of the ESM’s rules by Karlsruhe judges limits the secrecy of bailout agreements, in the name of the citizens’ right to be informed. It comes after 37.000 Germans signed the petitions against unlimited funding to ESM by Germany. The Court’s decision orders the two Chambers of the German Parliament be fully informed …

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Sep 12

BBA warned banks on LIBOR-EURIBOR rate-rigging

The British Bankers’ Association (BBA) issued a warning to banks in April 2008 to “submit honest rates” to its Libor setting panel. One email, dated 21 May 2008, appears to show that Angela Knight, the chief executive of the BBA, was aware of the potential for banks to submit rates not reflecting the price at …

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Sep 11

Denmark, 100% RES by 2050

The most ambitious plan for the exploitation of renewables energy sources passed the vote of the Parliament of Denmark in March. It paves the road to total transition to renewables by 2050 and sets the goal of 35% of energy generation from RES by 2020. 50% of the final target energy supply will be generated …

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Sep 09

Oil price

The following chart (by Petrolio) shows the oil price trend from August 2003 to August 2012. Still below 100$/bbl, but street prices do not reflect its dynamics.

Sep 05

Italy: aid procedures for renewable energy sources updated

GSE, the State regulator of electricity services in Italy, has opened the “Quinto Conto Energia” (5th feed-in) scheme for photovoltaic, activating its dedicated portal with restricted access. The new regulations for other renewable energy sources (RES) plants can be downloaded here, and the new administrative form to communicate the operations startup is available here.

Sep 02

Bank lending slows in Brazil as loan delinquency climbs

Brazil’s banks abruptly slowed the pace of loan disbursements in July as caution took center stage among private sector lenders seeking to protect earnings from near record delinquencies and a drop in borrowing costs (Reuters).