News

MPs fear taxpayer will be left on hook for Bulb sale

A heavyweight Parliamentary committee has raised concerns over the amount of taxpayer money used to facilitate the sale of Bulb to Octopus. In particular, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that there are “substantive risks” about Octopus’ ability to pay back around £3 billion of taxpayer money used to cover the cost of placing Bulb in a Special Administration Regime. Consequently, the PAC has warned that consumers could ultimately be saddled with any unrecoverable costs.

Ofgem throws weight behind locational pricing

Chris Whitty says sewerage legislation overlooks health

England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty has called out MPs for overlooking human health issues when drafting legislation relating to sewerage. Whitty called for a refocus on health within wastewater legislation, which is currently framed around environmental targets.

Everflow management acquires majority stake

Electricity North West launches £7m flexibility tender

National Grid to get head start on £298m upgrade

Ofgem is set to release early construction funding (ECF) so National Grid can get a head start on its £298 million transmission upgrade in Yorkshire. The regulator has confirmed its minded-to position to approve National Grid Electricity Transmission’s ECF application which asks for up to 20% of the project’s total estimated cost.

Ofgem approves change to TNUoS charge for boundary connections

London mayor commits £10m to cut dig disruption

Anglian lays out £27m sewerage overhaul

Anglian Water has announced plans for a £27 million upgrade to water and sewerage infrastructure in Peterborough including £10 million on storm tanks to increase storage capacity in the network. The company said it is part of a £100 million spending drive to grow capacity across its region in the east of England to relieve the use of storm overflows during times of heavy rainfall.

Octopus says heat pump rules are deterring customers

Government urged to fast track ETS linkup with EU

Energy UK has called on the government to “press ahead” with linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to its European Counterpart to drive up the carbon price, increasing revenues and avoiding huge export taxes for UK businesses. It comes as analysis by the trade association has revealed that between April and the beginning of October this year, the UK ETS raised over £1bn less for the Treasury than if prices had remained at 2022/23 levels.

Green light for National Grid’s £252m ‘SF6-free’ site upgrade

Ofgem has approved the final needs case for National Grid Electricity Transmission’s (NGET) planned £252.6 million upgrade of its Harker site in Cumbria. The plans consist of an offline rebuild of 132kV and 400kV substations, along with the rationalisation of the 275kV substation. The proposal also includes the implementation of SF6-free solutions across the site.

Weekend press: Water firms to spend £272bn on upgrades  

In our latest round-up of the weekend’s national news coverage, Moody’s estimates that water companies are planning to spend £272 billion on upgrading sewage infrastructure over the next 25 years. Elsewhere, experts warn that new UK electric car charging laws do not solve all issues and Southern Water apologises for floods on the south coast.

Strikes loom at Thames and Scottish Water

Industrial action is on the horizon at both Scottish Water and Thames Water following disputes about pay. Workers at Scottish have already voted overwhelmingly to strike, while Thames workers are due to vote on a final pay offer negotiated with union bosses. GMB – which represents workers at both water companies – said that it doesn't think a better deal can be achieved through further negotiations with Thames Water, and a union spokesperson added that strike action is likely to follow if members vote against the deal.

Ofgem considers extending ban on acquisition-only tariffs

Ofgem is considering extending the ban on acquisition-only tariffs beyond March 2024. The ban was introduced alongside the Market Stabilisation Charge (MSC) as a temporary measure to ensure fair competition in 2022 as wholesale energy prices began to soar. Earlier this month, the regulator confirmed that the MSC will finally come to an end in March next year. However, Ofgem has now revealed that it is open to extending the ban on acquisition-only tariffs as a “standalone measure".