Damian's energy dispatch

UK

UK emissions rise more than the rest of Europe
The ongoing recession helped to depress emissions in most of Europe in 2012, except in the UK where greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector rose by almost 4% and Germany which saw a smaller increase. Cheap coal drove the rises in both countries. Campaigners say it shows the need for clear targets to decarbonise the power sector.

Energy companies likely to suffer from end of tax loophole
The government is moving to close a £900 million tax loophole which allowed  energy distribution outfits to claim tax relief for expenses already paid by business customers. 
 
China and Qatar could take energy construction risk
Construction news reports on the Treasury's ongoing problems finding investors willing to take so-called construction risk on big projects - like railways or nuclear plants. The magazine says officials hope sovereign wealth funds in China and Qatar will be less 'irrational' in their reluctance to take a punt on investing in UK infrastructure than investors closer to home.

Tim Yeo says climate change might not be man made
But then says it almost certainly is.  

World

US coal's come-back
"Remember all the stories about how a glut of cheap shale gas was killing off coal in the United States and slashing the country’s carbon-dioxide emissions? It’s time to revise those headlines slightly," says Brad Plummer from Wapo's wonk blog. 

EY claim offshore wind could add £23bn to Poland's economy 
A report put out by the Polish Wind Energy Association suggested the benefits would come from building 6GW of offshore wind by 2025. The only problem? Poland hasn't installed any offshore wind turbines yet and is currently planning to build 0.5GW by 2020. In fact the country is likely to be forced to pay for so-called 'renewable credits' in order to meet its 2020 EU renewable targets. 
 
And finally.. Oil guru says shale benefits 'temporary'
An oil guru nicknamed 'god' by his rivals has suggested shale will produce big benefits for the US but not for long. He warned that shale well production falls off far quicker than conventional oil and gas. In a letter to investors in his fund, seen by the FT, Andy Hall said it would be impossible to maintain current shale oil production 'without constant new wells being drilled'. All of that said, the price forecasts of fund managers paid a lot of money have been proved wrong in the recent past.