Water

On the move: Anglian CEO joins climate action group

Several senior appointments have been announced across the sector recently. Anglian Water’s chief executive Peter Simpson and EDF Energy chairman Colin Matthews will co-chair a group of businesses working together to tackle climate change. Utility Week takes a look at these and some of the other movements from across the industry.

Cox dismisses credit rating downgrades

Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox has dismissed fears over the financeability of water companies in the wake of PR19, accusing managements of using the threat of credit rating downgrades to put pressure on the regulator. Cox's comments came as Ofwat revealed the results of its annual investor survey.

Utilities seen as ‘safe havens’ amid market turmoil

As the stock markets suffered a bloodbath, analysts have pointed to the resilience of water companies and the National Grid. They have also given their views on the 17 per cent fall recorded by Centrica.

Ofwat chair lauds listed companies over private capital

Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox remarked on the divide between listed companies and private equity in the water sector, praising the “full transparency” and “market feedback” offered by the former. He also commented on whether he would consider building advantages for listed companies into the regulatory regime.

Water sector fights hard on customer satisfaction

Water companies beat the all-sector average on customer satisfaction, but drill down into the data and there is still work to be done with younger customers,

Mixing energy and water

In the latest of a series of articles exclusively for Utility Week members, Maxine Frerk – former senior partner networks at Ofgem – gives her view on the price control processes across the utilities sector. She examines the themes emerging from the PR19 appeals and what read across we can identify for the price reviews in energy.

Five ways coronavirus could change the utilities sector

With obvious consequences of the coronavirus outbreak being seen across the world this week, what are the key issues for UK utilities? Utility Week examines the impact on workforce, customers and the retail market, among others.

Poll: How will coronavirus affect utilities?

Anglian to power Grafham Water site with solar array

Water sector sets out possible routes to net-zero goal

Specialists advising the water sector on its goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 have said collaboration will be needed both within and beyond the industry to deliver the necessary innovation.

Helm: The regulators have got it wrong

Prof Dieter Helm, author of the Cost of Energy Review, talks to Utility Week about his radical ideas on how to rip up the current system of governance across the utilities sector, and why net zero has made this essential. He explains why he expects the energy white paper to “pave the way” for his recommendations and his view that the current price controls will be the sector’s last.

Severn Trent commits to £1.2bn sustainability drive

Severn Trent has set out a series of environmental and social commitments for the next decade. The drive will include investments in improving the natural habitat, tackling water scarcity, decarbonisation and the company’s role in society. Utility Week spoke to the company’s senior team to find out more.

Utilities and the coronavirus

As the coronavirus spreads and government advice cranks up, Utility Week magazine editor Suzanne Heneghan considers the impact on UK utilities and their obligations for keeping civil society operating

South East Water collaborates to battle leakage

Ofwat to introduce meter reading penalties