Your Top Europe Stories of 2009

From green energy and Copenhagen, to technology drama and the meltdown in Dubai, it was a big year for European news. Here are the stories you read the most

By Andy Reinhardt

As the New Year approaches, everyone seems eager to put 2009 behind in the past and move on to a better 2010. No question, it was a tumultuous and difficult time for many people and companies. But there were also signs of progress—in gradual economic recovery, green energy, and the dynamic technology sector.

We've pulled together a list of the top 10 most widely read stories this year from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region covered on Bloomberg BusinessWeek's Europe channel. Dive in for a look back at the stories that moved the needle, listed in chronological order. Enjoy … and here's to a better 2010!

A Chill Blows Through Wind Power

The financial crisis has hit the wind power industry hard as credit has dried up. Will government spending provide the needed stimulus? As in the case of the solar industry, wind power has been hurt by a sudden slowdown in private-sector investment as capital slowed and the price of oil fell from its mid-2008 high. The industry hopes public spending will help fill the gap until the global economy gets back on its feet.

Car-Scrapping Plans: Germany's Lessons

Merkel's cash-for-clunkers scheme has boosted auto sales, saved factory jobs, and helped rid the roads of gas guzzlers. But the costs are high. The program, launched in January and renewed in March, is Chancellor Angela Merkel's most visible economic stimulus measure. It pays $3,320 to people who scrap a car that's at least nine years old and buy a new car instead. The scheme has more than offset the effects of the global downturn on domestic auto sales, preserved factory jobs, and encouraged people to replace gas-guzzling, exhaust-spewing clunkers with the latest engine technology.

Intel Gets Slammed in Brussels

The European Commission has ruled that Intel stifled PC processor competition, harming consumers. Justice was severe, if not exactly swift. After an investigation that dragged on nearly nine years, the powerful Competition Directorate of the European Commission on May 13 slapped California semiconductor giant Intel (INTC) with the largest fine ever levied in an EU antitrust case and placed significant, but as yet vague, restrictions on Intel's future use of rebates and other sales incentives to spur sales of its market-leading microprocessors in Europe. Intel will appeal.

A Greener Solution to Air Conditioning?

Hamburg startup Thermodyna is on the cusp of cracking a nagging problem: how to provide cool air cheaply using solar energy. What if one could harness the sun's rays to cool a home or office without gobbling up huge quantities of energy—and without releasing too much CO2 in the process? The revolutionary technology, though still in its infancy, already exists.

Nokia Takes Aim at Apple

Nokia (NOK) has seemed determined recently to remind the world that it, not a certain Cupertino (Calif.) rival—e.g. Apple (AAPL)—is the world's dominant handset maker. Its product-launch offensive includes a new Nokia netbook, handset, and tablet PC that seem squarely aimed at Nokia's new top rival.

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