The global power crunch could increase the cost of everything from cars to the humble soft-drink can as rising energy prices push up the cost of aluminium.

The supply of aluminium - which is used to build cars, aircraft and even stepladders - is struggling to keep pace with demand because producers cannot get access to the vast quantities of electricity needed to create the lightweight metal. As a result, aluminium prices, already at historic highs, are expected to rise by about 33 per cent in the next couple of years. ... Read full article