MADRID, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa, a sector leader, said on Tuesday its net profits soared during the first-half at a time when record high oil prices are fuelling interest in alternative energy sources.

GENEVA, July 25, 2008 (AFP) - The European Union has proposed giving Brazilian exports of ethanol easier access to the European market as part of a trade deal, the EU's trade commissioner wrote on his blog on Friday.

MADRID, July 23, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish renewable energy specialist Iberdrola Renovables Wednesday reported its net profits for the first half of the year quadrupled to 194 million euros (305 million dollars).

It said the results mean the company is on track to achieving its profit target of 400 million euros for this year under its 2008-12 strategic plan.

FRANKFURT, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - The biggest German power group, EON, and Dong Energy of Denmark have bought additional stakes in the London Array wind park from the Anglo-Dutch energy company Shell, an EON statement said Monday.

EON and Dong will own the world's biggest offshore installation equally, the statement said, without providing financial details.

PARIS, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - The OECD favours a moratorium on expanding biofuel production, a senior official with the Paris-based body said on Wednesday following the release of a report critical of vegetable-based fuels.

'It would make a lot of sense to have a moratorium,' Stefan Tangermann, head of agriculture and trade analysis at the OECD told AFP.

FRANKFURT, July 4, 2008 (AFP) - German engineering group Bosch unveiled on Friday an offer worth more than one billion euros (1.57 billion dollars) for shares in the solar energy group ersol.

MADRID, July 3, 2008 (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali al-Nuaimi Thursday defended crude against 'politically popular' alternative energy sources, saying these are not replacements for carbon-based fuels.

MADRID, July 1, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish renewable energy specialist Iberdrola Renovables said on Tuesday it has made a 175-million-euro (276-million-dollar) offer for the remainder of its Greek subsidiary Rokas.

BERLIN, June 9, 2008 (AFP) - An OECD agriculture official urged on Monday that biofuel subsidies be scrapped, saying this was the quickest way to fight rising food prices.

'I call urgently for reduced support for biofuels,' said Stefan Tangermann, agriculture director for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

FRANKFURT, June 8, 2008 (AFP) - Germany's solar energy industry can breathe a sigh of relief: Subsidies are set for smaller cuts than expected, and the sector is set for consolidation many say is the crucial next step in its development.

The global electronics group Bosch was first off the mark, announcing the purchase last week of German solar energy equipment producer Ersol.