Strategy, policy & regulation

Editor's Picks

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

Local powers sought to ban technologies in new heat zones

3 years ago

Helm’s firm power auction plan dropped

The government has dropped a key plank of Professor Dieter Helm’s 2017 energy review from its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements. Helm’s Equivalent Firm Power auction is one of a series of proposals for comprehensive reform of the wholesale electricity market.

3 years ago

Industry chiefs back direct bill support

3 years ago

Tory voter bills would be most impacted by EPG hike

3 years ago

MPs hail Welsh floating offshore wind bonanza

Floating offshore wind power offers potentially the ‘single biggest investment opportunity’ for Wales in ‘decades’ but the government must give the fledgling sector greater certainty, according to a cross-party group of MPs.

3 years ago

Social energy tariff needed by April 2024

3 years ago

McMath calls out ‘missed opportunity’ in WRMPs

The head of MOSL has called on wholesalers to address high consumption users in the non-household sector as a means to manage demand and achieve reduction targets. Sarah McMath criticised companies for not including re-use scheme proposals in draft water resource management plans (WRMPs).

3 years ago

Eon seeks to fill 1,300 roles in major recruitment drive

3 years ago

Voters swing behind taxes to support fuel poor

An increasing share of voters are prepared to accept higher taxation to support energy bills but less than half believe their homes need more insulation, polling has showed. The same polling found that only 14% of homeowners would not be willing to contribute to improving the energy efficiency of their homes, while only 10% of homeowners would be willing to contribute £3,000 plus.

3 years ago

Suppliers call for EPG clarity before Budget

Clarity on the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) cannot wait any longer, energy firms have warned government. A source close to the government told Utility Week that “it’s pretty clear” the current £2,500 EPG level would stay in place but it looks increasingly likely that it won't be announced until the Budget.

3 years ago

Deadline extended for Water Industry Awards 2023

3 years ago

Weekend press round-up: Ministers warned of legal action over climate crisis

In our latest review of sector coverage in the national media, leaked documents show increasing concern over the lack of progress on net zero. Meanwhile, United Utilities will appear before the Supreme Court in a landmark case where it will argue it should not be held liable by private landowners and individuals for sewage spills. And Shell’s new chief executive has said America is now significantly more attractive than Britain for energy investment.

3 years ago

DNOs to cover reinforcement costs for new developments

Distribution Network Operators will have to cover infrastructure upgrade costs when connecting new developments under rule changes set to come into force next month. Under the current arrangement, developers are obliged to cover the costs of reinforcing the local electricity network to provide sufficient capacity to serve their new developments.

3 years ago

EDF MD: Competition is not in the interest of consumers

3 years ago

Direct debits to jump 76% in April, So Energy predicts

Customers who pay their energy bills via direct debit face an average 76% cost increase from next month if the government pushes ahead with its plans to increase the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), So Energy has estimated. It comes amid media reports that the government may not press ahead with the planned increase in the EPG.

3 years ago

Two-step process for grid connections gets green light

3 years ago

Ofgem seeks to create world’s first distributed energy supermarket

3 years ago

Hornsea Three risks being paused without subsidies

Plans for the world’s largest offshore windfarm are at risk of being shelved without government support. Duncan Clark, head of Ørsted UK & Ireland, called on the government to announce subsidies in the upcoming Budget to help renewable energy project developers mitigate rising construction costs.

3 years ago

Reversing Bulb sale ‘could be chaotic’

3 years ago

Most water companies to fall short of consumption targets

3 years ago