James Wallin

Ovo announces 2,600 redundancies

Ovo Energy says the rapid change in consumer behaviour as a result of the lockdown has prompted the faster integration of its business with SSE Energy Services, meaning 2,600 roles are set to go in 2020. The GMB union has accused the company of a “betrayal of promises” made to workers when it completed the acquisition SSE’s retail arm at the start of the year.

April slowdown sees annual switching figures fall behind 2019

The latest electricity switching figures from Energy UK confirm a slump in April – the first full month of the coronavirus lockdown – with just under half a million customers changing supplier.

Utility Week lockdown poll reveals customer satisfaction issues

Weekend press round-up: Renewables prove a shining success during pandemic

In our latest review of sector coverage across the national newspapers, Ed Miliband sets out Labour’s vision for a green recovery from coronavirus; the success of UK renewables during lockdown is celebrated; BP boss Bernard Looney explains why the pandemic has strengthened his net-zero ambitions and James Dyson reveals his “huge sadness and disappointment” at abandoning his electric vehicle plan - after spending £500 million.

Water retailers still failing to pass on support message to customers

Some water retailers are still failing to signpost businesses to the support with their water bills available to them during the lockdown, according to CCW.

Transformation lessons from the NHS

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on all aspects of the utilities sector will require a joint response across regulators, government and companies. According to Ted Hopcroft and Liz Parminter, from PA Consulting, this may necessitate the kind of cultural transformation that NHS procurement is currently undergoing.

On the Move: Steve Edwards leaves Wales & West; Portsmouth appoints new chair

Portsmouth Water and Sembcorp Energy UK have both welcomed new blood to the boardroom, while Wales & West bids farewell to one of its founding directors and electric vehicle charging network Engenie unviels the former global product director at McDonald’s as its new chief technology officer.

SSE’s James Williamson: Keeping Us Connected

As part of our Keeping Us Connected series we profile an SSE Renewables engineer who is giving up his free time to 3D print face shields for frontline workers across the country.

Efficiency drive: Why consumers still ignore consumption

Utility Week talks to SaveMoneyCutCarbon chief executive Mark Sait on the back of the company’s consumer poll, which shows 85 per cent remain unaware of how much electricity they are using. Sait claims that despite their unparalleled penetration of the population, utilities companies are failing to land the efficiency message – and will continue to until the “issue of trust” is resolved. He also talks about the missed opportunities to include water consumption in strategies to cut carbon.

#AskUsAnything: The water sector

The latest in our #AskUsAnything series saw an expert panel discuss the impacts of coronavirus on the water sector. It is now available on demand.