World's utilities feel the wind behind nuclear, renewables

THE PERCENTAGE of power companies that expect wind and nuclear power to make up an increasing share of their output has more than doubled in the last year, says PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In its Energy and Efficiency: Utilities Global Survey 2007, based on interviews with 114 power utilities from around the world, the consultancy found that 48% and 45% of respondents expect wind and nuclear, respectively, to account for a growing share of energy consumption in their markets in the next five years. Just 12 months ago, those figures were 17% and 19%, respectively. "Climate change appears to have cemented its place on the agenda of utility companies," says Manfred Wiegand, global utilities l