Finance and investment

Build Back Better: Why a net zero bank could help secure a V shaped recovery

#AskUsAnything: RIIO2 draft determinations

This webinar, sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard, will be an opportunity for Utility Week readers to pose questions to Akshay Kaul, Ofgem’s director, network price controls.

Defra promises to double flood protection investment

Government eyes Green Investment Bank 2.0

Kwasi Kwarteng has revealed that the government is exploring the rebirth of the Green Investment Bank. The minister of state for energy said there was an “ongoing debate” within government about how to create a new mechanism to help finance the investment required to support the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions.

Investors balk at Ofgem’s tough stance

Ofgem’s strict approach to the next price control for energy networks could deter investment in the energy transition and lead to potential backers looking abroad for opportunities instead. This was the view of panellists on Utility Week’s #AskUsAnything show, who also said the regulator’s stance was at odds with the government’s desire to encourage investment in a swathe of infrastructure projects as part of the economic recovery.

Ofgem approves £25bn of upfront funding for RIIO2

Energy industry survey shows concern over policy gaps

Energy efficiency has been cited as the “biggest missed opportunity of the last decade” in a report released today by the Energy Institute. The Energy Barometer 2020, an annual survey of energy professionals, found that almost three quarters of the 350 respondents believe the government is not doing enough reach net zero emissions by 2050.

British Gas places UK’s largest commercial EV order to date

Centrica calls for 1m heat pumps by 2025

Centrica has called for the installation of one million heat pumps over the next five years as part of the green economic recovery. It has urged the government to bring forward the full Future Homes Standard (FHS) by three years to 2021, as well as phasing into 2025 a scrappage scheme for oil boilers. The company has published a three-point plan which includes a series of measures it believes will help restart the post-Covid economy in line with its net-zero emissions commitment.

#AskUsAnything: The investor view of the utilities sector post-Covid

Our latest #AskUsAnything show will discuss the attractiveness of the UK utilities sector to investors, and ask how the pandemic has affected this. Dominic Nash, head of European utilities research at Barclays, Peter Antolik, of Arjun Infrastructure Partners and Lawrence Slade, CEO of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association, will discuss questions posed by Utility Week readers.

RWE closes asset swap with Eon after absorbing Innogy’s renewable arm

Drax faces strike threats

Johnson’s ‘New Deal’ branded ‘a false start’

The government has announced a fresh delay to the publication of the National Infrastructure Strategy as Boris Johnson’s blueprint for a post-lockdown infrastructure investment spree was criticised by green campaigners. There was disappointment in particular at the lack of focus on energy efficiency projects. See full reaction from across the industry.

Ofgem to strengthen protections for PPM customers

Ofgem has revealed plans to introduce increased support for prepayment meter (PPM) customers as part of a permanent licence requirement. In addition, enhanced ability to pay principles mean suppliers will be required to offer more support to all customers struggling to pay their bills.

Centrica launches ‘capital free’ energy-as-a-service bundle

Centrica Business Solutions has launched an energy-as-a-service bundle requiring no upfront cost to consumers wanting to install their own power generation. A typical project would see Centrica design, install and maintain energy solutions alongside the supply of gas and top-up electricity, to deliver guaranteed energy savings. They would then be repaid from the savings made over the contract term.