The Sunday Business Post reports that Ireland has the fourth-highest energy dependence rate in Europe according to a new study.

Energy company Airtricity is aiming to capture 15pc of the Irish power market through a major widening of its product offer.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has received an application from ESB Customer Supply for an interim increase of 17.5% in electricity prices for households and SMEs to apply from 1st August 2008.

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has questioned the draft decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to approve an interim price increase for households and SMEs of 17.5%.

The Director of the Small Firms Association, Patricia Callan has stated that the announcement by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) of interim electricity price increases of 17.5% from 1st August, is completely unacceptable to the small business community.

ESB has issued its statement on the 17.5% electricity increase, announced by the Commission for Energy Regulation.

The Irish Independent reports that a car powered on vegetable oil has earned a team of Irish bright sparks second place in a worldwide technology competition in Paris.

IBEC has expressed serious concern at the economic challenges posed by rapidly rising energy costs.

The Irish Independent reports that Irish data centre energy costs are to exceed property costs by 2010, according to a study carried out by market research firm iReach.

Finavera Renewables Inc. has announced that it has entered into discussions with a potential corporate investor - and has received a non-binding indicative financing proposal from that investor - in connection with four wind projects currently being developed by Finavera in the Peace Region of British Columbia, Canada.