Regulation

Latest

Regulatory appeals, the Penrose review, and the case for change

Fingleton’s Simon Oates discusses the potential implications for regulated companies of the Penrose Review of UK competition policy. Is the system of regulatory appeals in the UK about to be overhauled?

5 years ago

Dieter Helm knighted

The author of the Cost of Energy Review was one of several names connected with the utilities sector to feature in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

5 years ago

Has the CMA been handed a chance to compromise?

Ofgem's decision to shift on cost of capital in its final determinations for RIIO2 could be seen to have weakened Ofwat's position in convincing the Competition & Markets Authority to back its original position on returns. Alternatively, it could provide the ideal opportunity for compromise. Ruth Williams looks at the options.

5 years ago

Brearley: We have to adapt as ambitions change

Utility Week speaks to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley about RIIO2, CMA appeals, an official net-zero duty, the future of the price cap and his goal to create a more agile regulator.

5 years ago

More joined up?

In her latest column exclusively for Utility Week members, former Ofgem executive Maxine Frerk casts her eye over the regulator’s decision on the methodology for the electricity distribution network price controls.

5 years ago

Ofwat asked to reflect CMA appeals in charging rules

Anglian, Bristol and Northumbrian have asked the water regulator to extend the charges deadline for 2021/22 to accommodate changes in the CMA's redetermination, which is due to be published in February

5 years ago

Ofgem and BEIS reveal next steps in offshore transmission review

5 years ago

We could all be vulnerable now

Utility Week’s Consumer Vulnerability & Debt conference brought together companies, regulators and stakeholders to discuss how best to support those who need it most – and how Covid has changed the approaches taken. James Wallin discusses some key takeaways.

5 years ago

Weekend press round-up: Centrica faces industrial action in January

In our latest review of sector coverage across the national newspapers, there are reports on a turbulent energy retail market – with Centrica facing strikes and Shell Energy revealing a £32 million loss. However, in a weekend of gloomy news, there was one bright spot, with a new record set for windfarm generation in Great Britain.

5 years ago

Ofgem ‘still treating net zero as an uncertainty’

5 years ago

RIIO2: Is Ofgem finally aligning with government policy?

In its final determinations for gas and transmission networks and methodology for the electricity distribution price control, Ofgem appears to have moved much closer to the government’s vision for net zero. Nicholas Cass-Tansey and Allan Boardman, energy and utilities experts at PA Consulting, give their views.

5 years ago

Suppliers issued with warning over incorrect backbilling

Energy retailers have been issued a warning after various consumer bodies found a number of suppliers are incorrectly charging customers for unbilled usage beyond the 12-month cut off point.

5 years ago

CMA cases informing PR24 approach to engagement

5 years ago

Ofgem to provide centralised demand forecasts for electricity distribution planning

5 years ago

RIIO2 business plan incentive ‘remains a mystery’

A former partner at Ofgem has said she is still mystified as to why the regulator handed some companies penalties and others rewards under the new business plan incentive mechanism for the RIIO2 price controls. Maxine Frerk said Ofgem needs to provide more clarity on exactly how networks’ business plans are judged. Its chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, told Utility Week some companies had initially failed to show their plans were in the interest of consumers.

5 years ago

EDF pays £6m after giving ‘misleading signals’ over plant capabilities

5 years ago

Covid pushes 600,000 more energy customers into debt

There has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of people behind on their energy bills, with 600,000 more currently in debt to their supplier than February. Citizens Advice found that, as of September, 2.1 million energy customers were in arrears, with the average amount owed at £760 for electricity and £605 for gas. A quarter of all energy customers worry they will not be able to pay this winter.

5 years ago

Ofgem backs fixed balancing charges on consumers

5 years ago

Auto-switching proposals could lead to ‘unintended consequences’

Proposals to reform roll-over tariff arrangements could have the unintended consequence of reducing engagement in the energy sector, a fuel poverty expert has warned. The Energy White Paper proposes customers who do not opt-out could be automatically switched to a new, cheaper contract instead of being rolled over onto a default tariff when their deal ends.

5 years ago

Smart meters ‘can be eyes and ears of water network’

Ofwat has named smart networks as an area of focus for the next AMP cycle to bring step change in water companies' service. Engineering and analysis experts from Enzen talk to Utility Week about the advantages data could bring

5 years ago