Scottish Business Briefing - Thursday 16 June, 2011

ENERGY & UTILITIES

ScottishPower says price hikes needed to fuel 15bn investment

ENERGY giant ScottishPower has mounted another defence of its steep price rises, saying it will have to spend 15 billion over the next nine years to help the UK government meet its "ambitious" carbon reduction targets (Scotsman).

Energy giants' plan for new Scots onshore CO2 pipeline

Plans to create an onshore pipeline carrying up to two million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been proposed by three of the UK's energy giants. Scottish Power, National Grid and Shell UK want to use an existing natural gas line - running from Falkirk to Peterhead - for the project (BBC)

Read all today's energy and utilities news from scotsman.com

BANKING & INSURANCE

Osborne reveals Northern Rock is to be privatised

GEORGE Osborne has announced he is to sell off Northern Rock three-and-a-half years after the bank was nationalised (Scotsman).

Read all today's banking news from scotsman.com

FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE

Graduate to fulfil Black Isle brewery ambition

A young Scot will realise his dream of running his own brewery on the Black Isle in northern Scotland this summer with backing from the Scottish Government and Clydesdale Bank (Herald).

Read all today's food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com

TRANSPORT

Borders rail plan rocked as top firm pulls out

THE future of the planned Borders Railway has been thrown into doubt after another key player pulled out of the race for the contract. The move by construction giant Carillion could leave a sole group bidding for the 230 million order to build and maintain the line – the longest new route in Britain (Scotsman).

Alexander Dennis revs up for 60m bus deal in New Zealand

SCOTTISH bus builder Alexander Dennis is on the verge of signing a 60 million order for 300 vehicles for the New Zealand market as the Falkirk-based firm continues its international expansion (Scotsman).

Read all today's transport news from scotsman.com