Strategy, policy & regulation

Editor's Picks

Ofwat sets ‘very problematic’ revised PR24 schedule

Ofwat sets ‘very problematic’ revised PR24 schedule

Ofwat may not make its final rulings on water companies' £100 billion business plans until the end of January 2025, just two months before the next asset management period begins. Senior water company figures told Utility Week that the revised timetable is "very problematic" and "borderline ridiculous".

1 year ago

ESO may ‘snatch defeat from the jaws of victory’ over DFS penalty proposals

1 year ago

Labour promises ‘much tougher’ regulation of energy market

1 year ago

Ofgem to extend bad debt support provision in price cap

1 year ago

Let’s be pragmatic – not dogmatic – about the future of gas

1 year ago

Latest

Calls for outcomes-based water regulation get a boost

2 years ago

Anglian sets targets to close ethnicity pay gap

Anglian Water has set out plans to shrink the difference between median pay of ethnically diverse employees compared to white staff. Staff volunteered information on their ethnicity, providing the company with a base for its pledges to increase diversity and ensure transparancey of pay and bonuses. Severn Trent and Yorkshire have also voluntarily published ethnicity pay data

2 years ago

Ministers told to back hydrogen blending in gas network this year

Ministers should back moves to allow hydrogen to be blended into the gas transmission network by the end of this year, the sector’s government champion has urged.

2 years ago

Ministers urged to ban gas grid connections in new homes

2 years ago

Single social water tariff ‘ought to be non-negotiable’

2 years ago

What’s the plan?

Planning delays are crippling the rollout of green energy projects in the UK, and the situation has not improved despite constant promises to overhaul the system and fast-track investment. Utility Week explores the barriers holding up the planning process and looks at whether proposed changes will make a difference.

2 years ago

£1.8bn to tackle energy inefficient homes and buildings

The government has announced the allocation of £1.8bn of funding for home heating decarbonisation and energy efficiency upgrades. More than 115,000 homes will receive upgrades following the announcement as well as schools and hospitals.

2 years ago

Wales launches tidal lagoon challenge despite past woes

The Welsh Government has launched a tidal lagoon challenge, putting up £750,000 to fund at least three research projects. The funding will be used, in part, to address barriers that have prevented previous schemes being developed such as the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

2 years ago

Energy retailers urged not to return to ‘fight for lowest tariff’

Energy retailers must not return to a “fight for the lowest tariff” when pricing competition returns, according to So Energy executive director Charlie Davies. Davies urged the market to learn from previous mistakes to ensure that they are generating enough money to reinvest in research and development.

2 years ago

SSE pumps £100m into Coire Glas hydro storage scheme

2 years ago

Lords back single social tariff in water

2 years ago

Investec forecasts sub-£2,000 price cap

2 years ago

Overlapping metering standards hampering flexibility

2 years ago

Electricity market review risks investment hiatus

2 years ago

Strategic grid investment now is money well spent for the future

How low regret “whole system” investments made now across electricity and hydrogen infrastructure will benefit Great Britain in the long run.

2 years ago

Doubts raised over Ofwat’s new powers

2 years ago

Switching showing ‘early signs of a recovery’

2 years ago

Planning review fails to remove onshore wind blocks

Onshore wind developers will be extremely reluctant to consider any investment in England unless the government goes further on its commitment to ease planning rules for the sector, Energy UK (EUK) has warned. The energy umbrella body says proposed changes do "not go far enough to provide the step change required to unlock the opportunities for onshore wind in England".

2 years ago

Centrica unveils offshore hydrogen production plans

2 years ago

Ofgem will have to spread PPM premium across the market

The government’s decision to task Ofgem with ending the prepayment meter (PPM) standing charge premium will mean higher bills for other customers, Citizens Advice has warned. As part of this week's Budget announcement, the chancellor of the exchequer announced an end to the current arrangements under which customers on PPMs pay £45 more in standing charges than those on direct debits. But the question of who should ultimately pay for it remains.

2 years ago

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