News

Senior departure announced as part of Ofwat reshuffle

National Grid ‘inching closer’ to zero fossil fuels target

National Grid is “inching close” to its 2025 goal to run the entire power system without fossil fuels, according to analysis from Imperial College London for Drax Electric Insights. The conclusion comes after Britain broke the record for “greening its grid” after producing 100% clean electricity for 25 hours in December, the longest period on record.

BEIS chief official had value fears over bills support

The BEIS (business, energy and industrial strategy) department’s former chief civil servant has revealed that she didn’t sign off the government’s massive energy bills support package because of concerns that it risked breaching Whitehall propriety and value for money rules.

Dramatic widening in fuel poverty gap revealed

Ofgem resumes updating household consumption values

Year-on-year switching up for first time in 20 months

The number of customers switching electricity supplier increased year-on-year for first time since May 2021. In January 117,263 switches were recorded, according to the latest figures released by Energy UK. That represents a 24% increase on the 94,428 switches registered in January 2022.

Ofwat calls out companies over financial transparency

Ofwat has set out expectations for water companies to boost the transparency in how they present financial resilience planning, including making it clearer to stakeholders how stress testing is carried out. Meanwhile dividend payments were queried for not fully reflecting broader performance

Hinkley C’s first nuclear reactor arrives on site

The first of two nuclear reactors that will be installed at Hinkley Point C has arrived in Somerset. Weighing 500 tonnes, the 13m-long reactor was made in France before being shipped to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol.

Increasing EPG would be a ‘catastrophe’

Smart meter network rollout reaches half of all homes

Half of all the homes in Britain are now connected to the national secure smart meter network, according to Data Communications Company (DCC). This milestone means that the network now supports almost 25 million meters, more than double the 11.7 million homes served by full-fibre broadband.

National Grid pushes on with £465m cable burying drive

National Grid has submitted plans to bury 4.6km of overhead electricity line in the North Wessex Downs. The project is part of the wider £465 million Visual Impact Provision initiative to remove overhead line infrastructure in five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Collapsed Britishvolt bought by Australian firm

UK battery developer Britishvolt has been acquired by Australian startup Recharge Industries. The sale revives plans to build a £3.8 billion gigafactory in Cambois, Northumberland. If built it will be the UK’s first gigafactory.

Energy price cap to fall by £1,000

Weekend press round-up: Hunt under pressure to cancel energy bills support cut

In our latest review of sector coverage across national media, there are renewed calls for the Chancellor to maintain the Energy Price Guarantee at its current level. Meanwhile, big wind farm developers have warned their UK projects could be at risk without tax breaks and the boss of Thames Water has said she is “heartbroken” by the impact of sewage spills.

Calls for levy exemptions to be extended to domestic bills

The government has been urged to extend the policy costs exemptions proposed for energy-intensive businesses to bring domestic bills down. It comes after the recently-formed Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced new measures to drastically reduce energy costs for 300 heavy industry firms. Committee on Fuel Poverty chair Caroline Flint was among those giving their reaction to Utility Week, saying support for industry cannot be at the expense of households.