THEY WERE calling it Draxula, the monster power station of the north sucking the life out of the nation's energy industry – a shocking horror story that many feared would leave the country powerless, writes Robert Lea.

Among the darker secrets being unearthed in Lebanon is the touchy subject of debt-ridden Electricité du Liban. Ayesha Daya writes

The European Electricity Directive, like the Gas Directive of 1998, was updated in 2003 because of 'significant shortcomings and possibilities for improving the functioning of the market'. Two years on, Liz Bossley, Richard Cockburn and Rob Kelvey consider the lack of progress towards a fully liberalised European market

Strong economic growth across Asia and the emergence of the US as a thermal coal importer have lifted coal prices to record highs over the past year, although things are now starting to ease, writes Martin Clark

An accident, in May, at the Chagino power station, near Moscow, drew attention to the dilapidated state of much of Russia's electricity-generating infrastructure and to the chaos that even temporary breakdowns can cause. A sweeping reorganisation of the highly regulated sector, intended to stimulate badly needed investment, is under way, writes Isabel Gorst

The European Gas Directive of 1998 was updated in 2003 because of "significant shortcomings and possibilities for improving the functioning of the market". Two years on, Liz Bossley and Gavin Templeton consider whether the dream of the free and competitive movement of gas within the EU is a reality

Rising oil and gas prices have led to one of the greatest comebacks in UK corporate history – from the verge of bankruptcy, British Energy's share price has almost doubled this year. But some analysts say the renaissance of the UK's nuclear generator is not sustainable writes Robert Lea

The UK's Centrica wants a bigger slice of the European gas market and it wants Brussels to level the playing field once and for all. Robert Lea writes

Once upon a time, economists praised the German economy for its long-term stability and steady growth. If that reputation has taken a knock in recent years, the country's two biggest utilities, E.On and RWE, have not noticed. Analysts and investors alike continue to hold both in high regard, writes Derek Brower

The government plans to sell part of EdF in October. But shaky finances, unruly unions and a disgruntled public promises to make the privatisation a hard sell, says NJ Watson

Gaz de France must adapt to life as a publicly quoted company, cope with competition in the domestic gas market, take on Electricité de France in the French power sector and expand internationally. The next two years will prove a critical period in the company's history, writes Ayesha Daya

Betta, scheduled for completion by April 2005, will integrate the Scottish, English and Welsh electricity markets. Richard Cockburn and Liz Bossley of CEAG consider the implications

China's appetite for all types of energy continues to rise and electricity is no exception. The country's generating capacity has surged by 100 gigawatts (GW) to over 400 GW in just four years, but producers are still unable to keep pace with the even greater rise in demand. Cris Heaton reports

In this first of two analyses of the state of electricity production in Iraq, Power Economics assesses the impact of the war on an industry that must play an essential role in the country’s reconstruction.

While the Gulf oil industry is a vital cog in international relations, rather less attention is given to the region’s evolving power sector.

Power Economics concludes this two-part analysis of Vietnam, where communism and commerce converge