Bahrain-based Arcapita Bank has hired JP Morgan to lead a share listing for Irish energy firm, Viridian Group, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, in a deal that one said could give the firm a value, including debt, of nearly £1bn (€1.25bn).

EDF Energy is shutting down four of its nuclear power reactors as a precautionary measure after a defect was found in one of them.

The world’s largest offshore wind farm has abandoned expansion plans in a blow to the UK’s status as a global leader in the industry.

The quality of British electricity is falling because unreliable renewable generation is becoming an increasingly large component in the power supply, causing more flickering in households and potentially triggering outages.

Fears over the UK’s reliance on imported energy were fuelled today after a report claimed Britain was just six hours away from running out of stored gas in March.

A renewable energy project that is aiming to turn the midlands into a single, large linked windfarm producing 5,000MW of energy a year took a step closer to becoming reality with an agreement to provide energy to the UK’s National Grid.

London’s FTSE 100 Index powered nearly 1% higher as hefty gains from BP helped it overcome a second day of trading being suspended in storm-ravaged New York.

Power grid operators signed a deal yesterday to investigate the feasibility of a 5,000 megawatt electricity transportation system which could export wind power from Ireland to the UK within five years.

The furore over the G4S Olympics contract showed no signs of fading as the security firm’s shares fell another 6% today.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of a two-year-old boy in an explosion in Oldham.

In the UK - the National Grid has confirmed that an explosion in Oldham yesterday - which killed a two year old boy - was not caused by a leak from its gas distribution pipes.

In the UK, a child has died in a suspected gas explosion that has destroyed a number of houses in the Oldham area of Manchester.

A rebound for London shares on hopes that Greece’s pro-euro parties are seeing a pick-up in support prior to next month’s elections proved short-lived today.

London’s leading shares index struggled to find direction today as downbeat housing data in both China and the US saw the recent upbeat mood stutter.

Bord Gáis says it can save €120m in start-up costs if it is given the task of establishing the proposed national Irish Water utility — expected to serve more than 1.5m customers by 2014.

World markets struggled to make progress today after another meeting on the eurozone debt crisis failed to ease traders' nerves.

London’s leading shares index surged 3% today as investors cheered the long-awaited action plan from European leaders to tackle the region’s debt crisis.

Hopes that politicians will make further progress tackling the eurozone debt crisis this week saw world markets make cautious gains today.

London’s leading shares index fell into the red today after a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that time was running out to tackle threats to the economic recovery.

The London market slumped 2% today as the increasing likelihood of a Greek debt default shook investor confidence.

London's FTSE 100 Index held firm today despite another rocky session for banks as worries mounted over a possible debt default in the US.

British Gas was fined £1m today after it miscalculated how much of the electricity it supplied to business customers had come from renewable sources.

The London market closed in the red today after disappointing jobs data in the US reignited fears over the strength of the global economic recovery.

World markets took another step in their recovery today after a multi-billion dollar deal in the telecoms sector boosted confidence.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a mini-fightback today on the back of gains made by banking and mining stocks but it was still more than 100 points down on the week.

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back past the 6000 mark today, but Marks & Spencer shares slumped into the red despite news of a Christmas sales hike.

The FTSE 100 Index paused for breath today after its recent shares rally as commodity stocks posted heavy falls.

Commodity stocks led London's blue-chip share index lower today as investors paused for breath after a recent strong rally.

Global stock markets soared higher today as investors took heart from positive signs for the global economy.

Shares in Cable & Wireless Worldwide tumbled today after the telecoms group warned British government spending cuts would hurt full-year earnings growth.

The FTSE 100 Index ended a buoyant week with its fourth winning session in a row today as mining stocks continued their recent push higher.

World markets were dragged lower today after cautious comments from the US Federal Reserve curbed enthusiasm for riskier stocks.

Strong gains on Wall Street helped limit losses for under-pressure BP today as the wider FTSE 100 Index also pulled back from early heavy falls.

London's FTSE 100 Index fought back from hefty falls today, but oil giant BP remained deep in the red after failing again to block the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a much-needed rally today as European markets reversed some of their recent punishing declines.

London’s blue chip share index struggled amid further volatile trading today as markets failed to shrug off eurozone concerns.

The London market ended the week in the doldrums today as economic woes continued to haunt the eurozone.

Investors sought refuge in safer sectors today after figures showed the eurozone economy barely grew in the last three months of 2009.

Halifax figures revealing a sixth successive month of rising property prices saw housebuilders leap ahead today as the Bank of England’s move to keep interest rates at a record low also helped the sector.

The FTSE 100 Index held on to gains seen in Tuesday's bounce-back today as heavyweight stocks lent their support.

The FTSE 100 Index held its ground above the 5200 mark today to close at its highest level for more than a year.

AN international green energy expert has said Ireland has the greatest potential in Europe for wind energy development but it needs to quickly start realising this potential.

The FTSE 100 Index limped into the black today as a better than expected start on Wall Street helped the London market claw back early losses.

The London market was dragged into the red today as financial stocks foundered on concerns over the banking sector.