Rob Horgan

Networks could supplement suppliers’ smart meter rollout

Union calls for urgent public inquiry into water sector

Anglian customers demand compensation for supply problems

Hundreds of Anglian Water customers are demanding compensation for dealing with persistent supply problems. A petition, debated in the House of Commons this week, calls for Anglian to “adequately address the very many ongoing concerns and poor service across South Northamptonshire”. Signed by more than 200 residents in eight villages and towns, the petition bemoans pressure fluctuations, a series of burst mains and delays to repair damaged pipes.

Scots told to curb water use after consumption surge

Scottish Water is calling on its customers to reduce their water consumption with forecasts of more dry weather to come. The appeal comes following a dramatic increase in water usage among Scottish Water customers. In total, Scots are using an average of 180 litres of water per person per day, some 45 litres more than those living south of the border.  

Wessex fined for providing undrinkable water

Wessex Water has been hit with a £280,000 fine after it provided customers with undrinkable water for three weeks. The company has also agreed to pay out more than £21,000 to its affected customers. The fine was handed down by Swindon Magistrates following prosecution by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

National Grid hails breakthrough drone permit

National Grid looks set to ramp up the use of drones to carry out infrastructure inspections after the UK aviation authority granted a first-of-its kind licence. After years of trials, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has given the green light for sees.ai’s technology to be used for BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) aerial inspections of live overhead powerline assets. It is the first time such a licence has been granted in the UK.

River Thames CSO upgrades to be delivered 10 years early

On the move: Eon, Scottish Water, SGN

Utility Week's latest round-up of appointments across the utilities sectors includes two new chief executives starting their respective tenures, the departure of South Staffordshire’s group chief executive and a newly-created role at SGN.

EDF to trial demand flexibility tariffs for low carbon tech

EDF is developing new tariffs designed to encourage customers to use low carbon technologies at non-peak times. In partnership with smart energy system manufacturer Landis + Gyr and research consultancy LCP Delta, EDF has launched a trial to look at a series of new customer offerings. The new tariffs are being designed to encourage the uptake of low carbon technologies as well as shift usage away from peak times. 

Call for tax breaks extension for energy saving materials

The government is being urged to provide tax breaks for a wider range of energy saving materials. In a joint letter to the Treasury, the likes of EDF, Ovo and Eon call for tax relief for energy saving materials to be extended for technologies such as batteries, smart thermal stores and home electric vehicle chargers. The technologies on the Energy Saving Materials list are exempt from VAT, but the list has not been updated since 2006.