Between the Broadsheets

Are you one of the millions of people “turning to 30” when you load your washing machine? Or maybe you are heeding Gordon Brown’s advice and going green by spurning the supermarket’s free plastic bags? - The Times

Britain’s biggest energy companies are holding talks with the Government about a deal to provide subsidised heating and electricity to the 4.5 million people thought to be living in fuel poverty. - The Times

Energy prices could soar and green investment may suffer if the Government pushes ahead with a threat to impose windfall tax on gas and electricity firms, according to a senior industry representative. - The Telegraph

Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Friday it would cut supplies to its former Soviet neighbour the Ukraine by a quarter as of Monday, in the latest twist to a long-running dispute over debt payments. - France 24

According to Saudi Arabia's oil minister, oil prices are set to stay above a minimum price of 60-70 dollars per barrel, signalling a new era for world energy markets. - France 24

Hopes that Royal Dutch Shell would be allowed to include oil reserves from a huge project in Canada in time for a major strategy announcement later this month have been dashed. This will disappoint the City and raise concern about the Anglo-Dutch giant's ability to grow profits from its multibillion-pound expansion into unconventional sources of oil such as Canada's tar sands fields. Shell's oil and gas reserves have been a sensitive issue since the 2004 scandal when Shell booked more assets than it actually had. - The Daily Telegraph

The Government has given its tacit backing to a substantial increase in the share of British electricity generated from nuclear power to 30% or more from the present 18%. The increase would support the Government's aims of cutting emissions of CO2 by 20% by 2020 – The Times

A 200-year-old Sheffield metal-basher is considering building a 15,000 tonne press – one of the world's biggest – to satisfy the demand for parts arising from the global renaissance for nuclear power – The Times

Householders will be able to make money by fitting solar panels or mini wind turbines to their roofs, under proposals to be announced in the budget next week. Those who generate their own renewable energy through the devices will be able to sell their surplus electricity to the National Grid, at a guaranteed price - The Daily Telegraph