Company strategy

Thames rules out going offshore to swerve nationalisation

Thames Water’s CFO talks to Utility Week about investor uncertainty around nationalisation, why he is “cautiously optimistic” the company will not have to go to the CMA over PR19 and when we can expect an announcement on the company’s new chief executive.

Octopus: A tech firm that does energy

Innogy proposes restructure for ‘unsustainable’ Npower

Npower’s domestic and small business customers will be migrated to Eon, with its industrial and commercial arm spun off. The move will see Npower’s chief executive, Paul Coffey, depart and Michael Lewis take over leadership of both companies. There will be 'significant' job cuts as a result, with unions putting the figure at 4,500.

UKPN: DNOs ‘will be blamed for delaying net-zero if we don’t move fast enough’

Patrick Clarke, the director of network operations for UK Power Networks, has insisted the sector needs to be decarbonisation-ready, even in the absence of policy roadmaps – or risk a public backlash. He also shared his view on why utilities will still be digging up the roads in 50 years’ time.

Millions of smart meters continue to operate in ‘dumb’ mode

One industry voice estimates it will be at least 2028 before 85 per cent of homes have a smart meter. Installation rates have been increasing, however.

Will next-day switching be a reality by 2021?

By summer 2021 consumers should expect to switch their energy supplier by 5pm the next working day. Industry regulator Ofgem and the Data Communications Company are working towards creating a centralised switching service to facilitate this but one industry expert has referred to recent experiences with the smart meter rollout and questioned whether the timescale can be met.

Centrica to pilot commercial EV ‘charge park’

Utilities launch new scheme to protect customers from scams

Partnership launched to link affordability with efficiency

Pennon Group growth led by waste management arm

Making a positive difference

Business Stream chief executive Jo Dow argues that utility companies have wider responsibilities than those directly relating to customers and shareholders. She explains how her business is putting environmental issues at its core.

Vulnerable customers urged to claim fuel payments

Find out what energy charities are doing to help vulnerable customers claim payments and keep warm this winter.

Suppliers owe £38m in Capacity Market payments

The first list of unpaid invoices from the restarted Capacity Market has shown there is a £38.2 million deficit so far. A summary of missed payments published by the Electricity Settlements Company lists 33 suppliers who have so far failed to make a payment. Nine of these have already ceased trading.

UW Manifesto: Why smart meters should be mandatory

Weekend press round-up: National Grid and SSE ‘go offshore’

This weekend's press round-up explores moves by SSE and National Grid to protect investors in the face of renationalisation threats; Scottish Power's plans for a major expansion of onshore windfarms and Dale Vince, founder of green energy supplier Ecotricity, donating to the Labour Party.