James Wallin

Latest posts by James Wallin

Helm: The regulators have got it wrong

Prof Dieter Helm, author of the Cost of Energy Review, talks to Utility Week about his radical ideas on how to rip up the current system of governance across the utilities sector, and why net zero has made this essential. He explains why he expects the energy white paper to “pave the way” for his recommendations and his view that the current price controls will be the sector’s last.

5 years ago

Severn Trent commits to £1.2bn sustainability drive

Severn Trent has set out a series of environmental and social commitments for the next decade. The drive will include investments in improving the natural habitat, tackling water scarcity, decarbonisation and the company’s role in society. Utility Week spoke to the company’s senior team to find out more.

5 years ago

Greencoat expects further churn of ROC projects in 2020

Greencoat UK Wind (UKW) plans to take on more subsidy-free offshore wind projects in 2020 after making its first acquisition of this kind last year. However, investment manager Stephen Lilley told Utility Week that the company also expects more Renewables Obligation Certificate-backed assets to be made available, as utilities try to recycle capital.

5 years ago

UKPN makes Best Companies to Work For list six years running

UKPN has been placed tenth in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For list and has also received a Discovering Potential award, reflecting its ongoing commitment to apprenticeships and its school engagement programme.

5 years ago

Weathering the storm

Gale force winds and a deluge of rain have battered the UK over the past few weeks but thanks to the efforts of staff across the utilities sector, power interruptions have been limited. Paul Fidler, director of operations at the Energy Networks Association, highlights how joined up working has kept the lights on in very difficult conditions.

5 years ago

Government must accept ‘economic sense’ of subsidising onshore wind

A leading investor in renewable energy has told Utility Week the government must accept the economic argument that excluding onshore wind from subsidies “makes no sense”. Richard Crawford and Jaz Bains, of The Renewable Infrastructure Group, also warned that the Conservatives' pledge to reach 40GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 was “very challenging” and that a framework for incentivising investment was urgently needed.

5 years ago

Plans for £1.2bn weather ‘supercomputer’ as utilities grapple with storm aftermath

As utility companies pick up the pieces from a second consecutive weekend of extreme weather, the government has promised to strengthen the country’s resilience by investing £1.2 billion in the world’s most advanced weather and climate forecaster. Utility Week gauges reaction to the project and rounds up how companies have responded to the damage caused by Storm Dennis

5 years ago

Sharma replaces Leadsom as BEIS secretary

Alok Sharma has been appointed as the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, replacing Andrea Leadsom who has been sacked from the cabinet. He will also serve as minister for COP26, taking on all the responsibilities of president of the UN climate change conference. George Eustice replaces Theresa Villiers as environment secretary.

5 years ago

Brearley fires warning shot at networks and retailers

The new chief executive of Ofgem has pledged to crack down on “sharp practice” in the energy retail sector and promised networks a squeeze on the cost of capital. Jonathan Brearley also vowed to change the perception of the regulator as overly concerned with short-term cost-cutting at the detriment of future investment. And, he insisted the fears around the potential pitfalls of the energy price cap have so far proven to be misplaced.

5 years ago

An apprentice’s view of the utilities sector

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we profile Eon’s Apprentice of the Year, Charlie Torry. He discusses his journey so far, Eon’s approach to training and his thoughts on the wider sector.

5 years ago