Strategy, policy & regulation

Weekend press: Thames shareholders to inject £1bn

More than 1.5m customers could be on fixed tariffs above price cap

United Utilities workers vote to strike

Thames investors split on stumping up extra cash

Government rejects transmission planning proposals

Time is running out for affordability plans

Scrap ‘revolutionary’ wholesale reform, renewables body urges

Industry grandees mull intractable sector quandaries

Anglian named water company of the year

Ofgem cracks down on excessive generator profits

Regulator calms Thames collapse fears

Ofgem CEO ‘frustrated’ with lack of pace on diversity

Ofwat confirms tougher action on unwarranted bonuses

Ofwat has confirmed measures intended to block water company bosses from claiming unwarranted bonus payments. The regulator has confirmed plans to implement an end-of-period reconciliation mechanism which would allow it to adjust a company’s revenue allowance if it does not meet Ofwat’s expectations, particularly around financial and environmental objectives.

After After Diversity

Northumbrian launches sector’s first open data strategy

Former regulators to share views with UW members

Customers or taxpayer to be on hook for Thames woes

Ofgem proposes additional bad debt allowance in PPM cap

Axing levy poses ‘existential’ threat to hydrogen sector

The UK’s nascent hydrogen industry is at an "existential moment" and its growth will be undermined if the government abandons plans to introduce a household levy to support the sector’s development, MPs have been warned. In a last-ditch submission to the House of Commons committee scrutinising the Energy Bill, Hydrogen UK chief executive Clare Jackson urges MPs to safeguard the funding mechanism for hydrogen created by the legislation.

Thames investors risk losing everything

With the government and Ofwat preparing contingency measures for the potential collapse of Thames Water, the company’s investors are once again being asked to provide more funding. Joanna Ford, restructuring & insolvency partner at Cripps, warns that failing to stump up more cash could see investors lose everything if the worse should happen.