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Infrastructure was on the agenda this week, with chancellor George Osborne’s surprise announcement of a National Infrastructure Commission, which - it is hoped - will bring some clarity to the UK’s long-term plans for vital projects such as HS2 and power plants. Such clarity can only be dreamt of by those involved in the smart meter rollout which we were warned this week could “destroy” consumer trust. Good news, meanwhile, for Anglian Water, which finally scooped the hotly contested contract for public water in Scotland.
All clear
George Osborne announced that Labour peer Lord Adonis will head up the newly created National Infrastructure Commission. It is hoped the commission will drive growth in the transport and energy sectors through a ‘depoliticised’ body.
The government also made things bit clearer on how the UK will manage its transition to a low carbon economy, with reports saying it plans to set 2023 as the date by which all coal-fired power plants must close.
Energy secretary Amber Rudd has provided more clarity on the closure of the Renewables Obligation support scheme to allow almost 3GW of onshore wind capacity to move forward by offering some projects an additional nine months to secure financing in the grace period.
The Scottish Government ended a long running saga by stating that Anglian Water Business is set to win a £320 million contract ahead of Business Stream to supply the Scottish public sector.
Fog of uncertainty
Within water, analysts have warned that Ofwat is sending “mixed signals” on the opportunities for M&A in the sector on the back of the Bournemouth Water/South West water merger. They claim that while the regulator is saying it supports the notion of M&A, it is also warning that activity could harm its ability to compare companies.
The boss of Electricity North West told delegates at Utility Week’s party conference event in Manchester this week that the smart meter rollout could “destroy trust and confidence” in the sector due to the confusion created around how the rollout is being done.
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