Between the Broadsheets

British Energy could soon fall to one of its European rivals, the nuclear generator admitted yesterday.
The company, which is 35% owned by the Government, said that it was in talks with several potential partners about a range of options, including a full takeover, a scenario that could kick-start the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain. - The Times

Oil prices surged to a new high in Asian trade Monday of nearly US$112 as the US currency slumped to a fresh low against the Euro, sparking a rush of funds into commodities, dealers said. In late afternoon trading, New York's main contract, light sweet crude for April delivery briefly traded at US$111.80 a barrel before easing to US$111.55. - France24

The Government's £25 billion nuclear energy plan was in danger of being thrown off course yesterday after British Energy, the owner of all of the UK's nuclear power stations, said it was in takeover talks. - The Independent

Shell is gearing up for a huge expansion of its carbon-intensive tar sands operation in Canada at a time when it has been struggling to replace conventional reserves. - The Guardian

Energy companies expressed concern about the prospect of a takeover of British Energy, fearing it could lead to one company having a monopoly over the best UK sites for new nuclear reactors.
After a report in the Financial Times that UBS had contacted energy companies to gauge interest in buying the UK government’s 35.2% stake in British Energy, the nuclear group confirmed it was in talks with “interested parties”. - The Financial Times

The world's computing power should be moved from desktop computers and company servers to remote outposts where renewable energy such as wind and solar power is abundant, according to a Cambridge University computer expert. - The Guardian

The government is in danger of losing credibility on climate change because more than half of all its departments are failing to reduce their carbon emissions enough to reach levels that the nation as a whole is expected to meet.
Apart from the Ministry of Defence, which significantly reduced its emissions in 2005/6 following a part privatisation, central government now emits 22% more than it did in 1999, according to the sustainable development commission. - The Guardian

Terra Firma, the private equity group led by financier Guy Hands, has stepped into the fray for control of Novera Energy, lining up the prospect of a bidding war for the wind farm developer.
The approach from Terra Firma-owned Infinis, one of the UK's biggest renewable energy companies, comes after 3i Infrastructure, a separate private equity group, last month bought a 10 per cent stake in Novera and said it was considering a full bid at 90p a share. - The Financial Times

A new lighting system has been installed to mark the 750th anniversary of the dedication of Salisbury Cathedral. The lights have been designed to reduce power consumption and light pollution. Work began on replacing the lighting in the interior, the cloisters and the exterior in March 2006 and was completed this month - The Times

British Energy is in talks that could lead to an offer for the nuclear power group as the government takes soundings about selling its remaining 35.2% holding to speed up the revival of the nuclear industry.
Five companies, EDF, the French electricity generator, RWE and E.on of Germany along with Centrica, the British Gas parent, and Iberdrola of Spain are seen as front runners to buy a stake that would herald a restructuring of the nuclear power business in the run-up to the launch of a new £20 billion atomic plant programme. - The Daily Telegraph