Sustainable infrastructure

National Grid secures green loan to build 1.4GW Viking Link interconnector

Wastewater team creates mobile testing units

A team from Northumbrian Water has created a mobile testing system to analyse wastewater during treatment to improve the quality of discharge.

Ofwat sets out its three-pronged approach to £200m innovation fund

WRSE unveils framework for resilience planning

New campaign to create united voice on water efficiency

Tom Andrewartha, water efficiency manager at Northumbrian, talks to Utility Week about the newly formed group for a joined-up campaign to change household habits around water in lockdown and beyond.

Fletcher: Everyone ‘took their eye off the ball’ on leakage

Ofwat's chief executive has said that progress is now being made on leakage but admitted it has not always been treated as a high enough priority. 

Pennon shareholders give green light to Viridor sale

Pennon shareholders approve the sale of waste management business Viridor to US private equity firm as the company focuses on opportunities in the water and wastewater sector.

UU pledges to prioritise safety and support ‘over any short-term impact’

As well as reflecting on the company’s performance in the past financial year, and price control period, United Utilities chief executive Steve Mogford has addressed the impact of Covid-19, saying the safety of staff and support for customers will be the unequivocal focus regardless of the hit to finances and targets. The company also revealed £51 million of losses on its Water Plus retail joint venture.

Northumbrian and Waterwise innovate through Covid-19

As social distancing changes the way we all live and work, two significant events in the water calendar have been announced to go ahead but online. Waterwise's Conference and Northumbrian's Innovation Festival will take place in July and September respectively.

UU: Customer service is an emotional interaction not a process

United Utilities' customer base includes some of the most deprived parts of the country and these people are now facing ever increasing hardships because of the pandemic. Customer services and people director Louise Beardmore tells Utility Week how empowering staff to help wherever possible has earned the company praise from those it serves.

Anglian Water’s CEO: Are we really doing enough to cut carbon?

#AskUsAnything: The water sector

The latest in our #AskUsAnything series saw an expert panel discuss the impacts of coronavirus on the water sector. It is now available on demand.

Tweaks to cap and floor regime for interconnectors

Keeping Us Connected: NI works to keep water flowing

Moody’s assesses dangers for negative water sector

Global ratings agency Moody's said the combination of tough determinations for AMP7, cuts to permitted returns, volume of appeals to the CMA and uncertainty for the sector spells a negative outlook for water for the next 18 months

Yorkshire to CMA: Coronavirus puts AMP7 in a new perspective

#AskUsAnything webinar: Energy networks

This #AskUsAnything webinar - now available to view on demand - focussed on how energy networks have fared during the pandemic and what the new normal will look like for them. A panel of experts, including UK Power Networks chief executive Basil Scarsella, Electricity North West chief executive Peter Emery and the ENA's Ross Easton, gave their thoughts on questions posed by Utility Week members.

Submissions invited on CMA appeals

The CMA has asked for submissions relating to the redetermination of business plans for Anglian, Bristol, Northumbrian and Yorkshire. Customers, the water sector and other stakeholders are all invited to comment.

Tideway resumes work

Work has resumed on the Thames Tideway project this week after drilling was paused due to the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, the company behind the project has been awarded a 74 ESG score by S&P, highlighting the environmental benefits of the finished project.

Thames’ parent company downgraded