President Vladimir Putin warned European leaders on Thursday Russia would cut natural gas supplies to Ukraine if it did not pay its bills and said this could lead to a reduction of onward deliveries to Europe. ›

Shale gas production in Britain could begin within four years if the current crisis in Ukraine escalates to such an extent that a national state of emergency is declared, the chief executive of Cuadrilla Resources said. ›

The U.K.’s biggest power utilities face a competition inquiry that threatens to force a breakup of their operations as retail profits climb. ›

Natural gas prices from the U.K. to Germany jumped amid escalating tension in Ukraine, the main transit route of the fuel from Russia to consumers in the west. ›

Europe is forecast to experience on average higher than normal temperatures for the March-May period across Scandinavia, the UK and most of mainland Europe with slightly below normal temperatures confined to Iberia, weather forecaster Weather Services International (WSI) said in its latest seasonal outlook. ›

The British government is expected to freeze the carbon tax on fossil fuels but at a level unlikely to alleviate high power bills for consumers and energy intensive companies, analysts said on Thursday. ›

Britain’s electricity generating capacity at coal and nuclear power plants could be slashed by 75% in the next decade, according to a new report by energy data specialist. ›

The European Commission moved closer to being able to hold back 400 million EU Emissions Trading System allowances from planned auctions this year after the European Parliament approved the move in a vote Thursday. ›

The UK will import more power from neighbouring countries in the future as the country’s electricity margin continues to tighten, according to National Grid. ›

Europe is slowly emerging from the crisis and economic growth is picking up however the sluggish nature of the recovery means governments cannot ease up in the pursuit of reforms that boost investment and jobs. ›