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National Grid grabbed many of the headlines this week as it looks to the future – both in the short and long term – of the UK’s energy supply. Investors and money did the talking in the water sector as the preferred bidders to take control the Thames Tideway Tunnel project were named, and utility customers received some good news.
Grid’s squeeze
National Grid grabbed the headlines this week as it revealed the UK faces its tightest winter supply margins for almost a decade due to plant closures. However, experts said Grid has the tools to hand to keep the lights on, with demand side response expected to play a significant role.
National Grid also looked further into the future with its future energy scenarios, one of which stated that interconnector capacity to the UK could more than double by 2020. The first major new interconnector project, the NSN link to Norway, moved a step forward, as Grid announced the winners of €1.5 billion worth of construction contracts.
Money talks in water
Thames Water unveiled the special purpose company Bazalgette Tunnel Limited to take control of the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel super sewer project.
In a week where money was a hot topic in the water sector, Severn Trent announced it was benefitting from low interest rates with lower debt costs, while the sector as a whole is also benefitting from additional investment as a result of the switch to the totex regime.
Good news for customers
Energy customers were in for good news – or at least those of British Gas – as the big six supplier announced it is cutting gas prices by 5 per cent. At the same time, the company unveiled the latest raft improvements to its Hive smart thermostat.
The smart revolution is also underway in the water sector, as Yorkshire Water is taking forward ideas submitted by members of the public for a water saving smart phone app.
In Scotland, 35 social landlords are set to launch their own energy company with the aim of saving members 10 per cent on their energy bill.
And finally…
After 37 years in the industry, Electricity North West network strategy and technical support director Mike Kay retires from his role. In a blog for Utility Week, he reflects on his career which he began as a 17-year-old apprentice at Norweb.
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