Company strategy

Eon CEO calls for mechanism to address bad debt

Eon UK chief executive Michael Lewis tells Utility Week that energy retailers should look at how the water sector is dealing with bad debt during the coronavirus pandemic. He insists that if the situation escalates, the energy retail sector “should not have to bear the risk of the non-collection of costs that suppliers collect on behalf of other parts of the industry”.

BEIS urges public to allow workers access for urgent jobs

Jackson: Sector failing to unite on vulnerability

Greg Jackson has expressed disappointment that large suppliers are resorting to “traditional energy industry infighting” instead of coming together to help the most vulnerable customers. The Octopus Energy chief executive said he had proposed a standardised form for assisting vulnerable customers but it had not been adopted by the wider sector.

UKPN’s Simon Deeley and Euan Macrae: Keeping Us Connected

As part of Utility Week’s Keeping Us Connected campaign, we highlight two UK Power Networks employees who are helping their communities battle coronavirus – through delivery of vital PPE and assisting the St John Ambulance.

Coronavirus crisis offers insights into a more sustainable future

Yu Energy offers free power to business customers

Yu Energy has become the second supplier in the space of a week to offer two months’ worth of free power to customers. The pan-utilities business supplier said the move had been made to support firms hit by coronavirus.

Vattenfall to start work on 240MW windfarm once coronavirus restrictions lifted

Keeping Us Connected: CWA donates PPE to ambulance crews

Keeping Us Connected: Portsmouth battles the clock on Covid-19 test site

Portsmouth Water's Bob Taylor explains how the company has connected a coronavirus testing centre during and shown the community-centric values at the heart of everyone in the business. He highlights key members of the team who worked around the clock to deliver the project.

Keeping Us Connected: SPEN drives support in the community

Our Keeping Us Connected campaign is showcasing how the utilities sector is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Here we take a look at how Scottish Power Energy Networks is supporting some of its most vulnerable customers, as well as keeping young children occupied during lockdown.

Keeping Us Connected: Scottish Water keeps close eye on remote communities

Smart meter delay should be used to ‘reset expectations’

Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus Energy, believes a six to 12 month delay may give the industry sufficient time to resolve connectivity issues. He said the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic will not be as long as those resulting from technology issues in the programme's early days.

Wholesalers say retailers should bridge liquidity gap

Water UK, on behalf of wholesalers, has told Ofwat that water retailers should pay 70 per cent of wholesale charges to ensure liquidity remains in the market. As part of Ofwat's consultation to find an enduring solution during coronavirus the group urged the regulator to avoid any moves that could disrupt the market's stability.

Keeping Us Connected: Centrica saves foodbank

Low awareness of support ‘acute issue’ for vulnerable