Company strategy

Octopus joins mass Covid testing pilot

Eon boss laments £300m ‘black hole’ left by failed suppliers

Eon UK boss Michael Lewis has called for the sector to stamp out the drivers of poor behaviour after recent supplier failures left behind a £300 million "black hole of debt". Lewis was speaking in response to the news that more than £33 million is to be mutualised after suppliers failed to pay their renewables obligation (RO). It is the third year in a row that missed payments have been mutualised.

Fixing a broken retail market

As chief executive of one of the market’s earliest disruptors, Doug Stewart has seen a lot of change since Green Energy UK came onto the scene in 2001. He talks to Utility Week about his concerns about mutualisation being triggered for the third year in a row in relation to suppliers not meeting their renewables obligations and his disdain at Ofgem’s rebranding of the big six to the "large seven".

Fire brigade to share vulnerable customer data with Thames

London Fire Brigade has agreed to share high-risk customer data with Thames Water. It follows a change to the way the company registers householders for its priority services register.

Eon launches smart installation service to wider market

Delivering meaningful social outcomes – pointers for “purpose-led” utilities

Coronavirus has prompted utilities' leaders to take a fresh look at what it means to deliver on their social contract - but what should meaningful approaches to delivering positive outcomes like social and economic mobility for communities look like? Senior industry representatives and other experts shared some key considerations with Utility Week.

Ovo links smart meters and thermostats

Ofgem unable to pursue 10 failed suppliers owing £17.8m in RO

A total of 10 energy suppliers owe more than £17.8 million in renewables obligation (RO) payments but will not be pursued by Ofgem because they have either ceased trading or gone into administration. The regulator has also revealed the total amount to be mutualised.

Unison and Unite back Centrica’s revised contract proposals

A majority of Unison members who were balloted on whether to accept Centrica’s revised proposals on contract terms and conditions have voted to accept the final offer. In an update Centrica said out of 7,000 front-line office employees, most of which are represented by Unison, 86 per cent voted to accept the final offer. Furthermore, it added, more than three quarters of Unison members voted in favour.

Ovo-backed supplier had 40 minutes average call waiting time

Ovo-backed power supplier Boost Energy took almost 41 minutes on average before answering calls to its customer service line, research by Which? has found. The consumer group's mystery shop investigation found British Gas in second last place, as it grappled to adapt to pandemic conditions. See the full table and reaction from companies featured.

A new challenge for the challengers

After years of mergers, acquisitions and the strong growth of new entrants, Ofgem finally decided to ditch the term ‘big six’ in November, with suppliers now being ordered by size as small, medium and large. The retirement of the big six term – with all its accompanying baggage – has been long debated. But, with Bulb and Octopus now classed in the same category as British Gas, Adam John asks whether the moniker ‘challenger’ has also had its day.

Advanced communications essential for delivering RIIO2

Deploying advanced communications to technologies that can deliver real customer value will be essential for network operators to ensure that more than £25 billion of spending under RIIO2 is invested wisely, says Dr Jon Hiscock, managing director of power technology specialist Fundamentals.

Suppliers’ green tariff claims should be independently audited

Claims by energy suppliers regarding the environmental impact of their green tariffs should be audited, either independently or by Ofgem, Good Energy has recommended. The retailer’s proposals to tackle greenwashing have been backed by Ofgem’s former head of future consumers.

What are customers saying?

Scottish Power takes on Yorkshire Energy customers

Customers of failed power supplier Yorkshire Energy have been transferred to Scottish Power, Ofgem has confirmed. The regulator also further revealed that it is minded to allow Scottish Power to claim a £10.6 million last resort supply payment after it took on the customers of Extra Energy in 2018. This is £3 million less than the supplier's original claim.