Company strategy

Moixa launches AI-powered EV partnership

Smart technology company Moixa will conduct an electric vehicle (EV) charging trial to help drivers deliver flexibility to the UK’s energy system and reduce emissions. Moixa's technology will be integrated with Dutch firm Alfen's EV chargers, creating tailored charging plans for consumers.

Yorkshire rejects Ofwat’s final determination and seeks CMA appeal

Weekend press round-up: Sambhi tipped as frontrunner for next Centrica CEO

British Gas owner Centrica is expected to report a dip in profits after being hit by the price cap when it posts its preliminary results on Thursday. Meanwhile there are reports that Sarwjit Sambhi, head of its consumer business, is the front-runner in the contest to take over from Iain Conn as chief executive.

The battle for customer engagement

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.

Wessex: customers want investment not cuts

Regional Growth and Utilities: Speaking with a Northern accent

BEIS proposes street works powers for heat networks

The government has unveiled proposals to extend the powers of heat network developers, allowing them to carry out certain development and highways works. The publication of the consultation paper has been tied with the award of £40 million for seven heat networks

Ofgem minded to allow SSE to claim £711,000 in SoLR costs

Ofgem has announced it is minded to allow SSE to claim a last resort supply payment of up to £711,000 for costs incurred when it took on the customers of failed supplier Brilliant Energy. The claim is, among other things, to cover the cost of customer credit balances.

Flexible energy firms laud Ofgem’s net zero action plan

Severn Trent director moves to Cadent

Ofgem pushes back plans for mutualisation protections

Ofgem says it is pushing back a consultation on its plans to demand suppliers protect a minimum of 50 per cent of customer credit balances. Other measures as part of a wider supplier licensing review will go to consultation in the Spring as planned. One industry source described the review as a detailed way to "lock the regulatory stable door well after the irresponsible small supplier horse has bolted".

New metrics to be included in Citizens Advice star ratings

Citizens Advice is proposing to include email and social media response times into the customer service metric for its star ratings table for energy retailers. The charity issues a quarterly star ratings table which measures the customer service performance of energy suppliers.

Scarsella to remain at UKPN after withdrawing from Thames talks

Basil Scarsella has confirmed he will not be seeking the role of chief executive at Thames Water, for personal reasons. However, he told Utility Week he remains fully committed to his current role heading up UK Power Networks.

Price cap successor needs ‘considerable’ assessment

Citizens Advice has set out a number of options for a potential successor to the default price cap in energy. They include mass opt-out collective switching, the creation of a backstop supplier for disengaged customers and the implementation of a “price to beat”