UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng warned that more energy suppliers may fail this year after a surge in gas prices caused seven to collapse already, affecting some 1.5 million households.
New energy suppliers will have to show they have adequate financial resources and can meet customer service obligations under proposals by the regulator.
International oil companies are largely non-committal when it comes to the internal politics of nation states in which they operate.
Energy companies are set to receive more payments to keep the lights on over winter in the face of coal plant closures.
Firms from the US will share solutions to the skills-gap problem at a breakfast during the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.
The north's renewable-energy credentials will be given a boost today with the official opening of a new facility at Thurso.
A delegation from the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo will arrive in Aberdeen today to further strengthen business links between the two areas. The visitors, from a cross-section of energy firms will spend two days in the Granite City.
NORTH Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) is to create a Stornoway-based forum following demands from energy firms in the Western Isles for a stronger voice among the national business community and decision makers.