Rob Horgan

Regulator calms Thames collapse fears

Ofwat confirms tougher action on unwarranted bonuses

Ofwat has confirmed measures intended to block water company bosses from claiming unwarranted bonus payments. The regulator has confirmed plans to implement an end-of-period reconciliation mechanism which would allow it to adjust a company’s revenue allowance if it does not meet Ofwat’s expectations, particularly around financial and environmental objectives.

Major milestone for ESO’s Local Constraint Market

The first end-to-end transactions of flexibility services for the ESO’s Local Constraint Market have been heralded as a success. A “world-first” trial saw households in Scotland increase their energy consumption to keep wind turbines online. The trial, led by Piclo, saw customers paid to turn-up their low carbon flex assets including heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers and electric heating.

Thames investors risk losing everything

With the government and Ofwat preparing contingency measures for the potential collapse of Thames Water, the company’s investors are once again being asked to provide more funding. Joanna Ford, restructuring & insolvency partner at Cripps, warns that failing to stump up more cash could see investors lose everything if the worse should happen.

Drax and ESO fail to strike deal on coal units returning

UKPN plans to bolster capacity at 98 substations

Ofgem clears path for Rough to operate until 2030

Innovations sought to unlock flexibility markets

The government has launched a dedicated fund to develop technical solutions which can unlock “untapped” flexibility markets. The £2.6 million Flex Markets Unlocked Innovation Programme has been established to find technical solutions “that can facilitate system-wide coordination, standardisation, and revenue stacking across multiple flexibility markets [to] allow a more diverse and competitive marketplace, unlocking flexibility”.

On the move: National Grid, CCC, Sellafield

Our latest round-up of appointments across the utilities sectors includes an interim chair at the Climate Change Committee, as well as new chief executives at Sellafield and the parent company of Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water.

Probe into ‘widespread’ sewage failings moves to next phase

The Environment Agency is stepping up its investigation into sewage treatment works after its initial 18-month assessment indicated “widespread and serious” environmental breaches. The probe, launched in November 2021, is the Environment Agency’s largest ever criminal investigation. It focuses on potential breaches of environmental permit conditions at wastewater treatment works by all water and sewerage companies.