Build Back Better

Anderson: Ofgem cost-cutting puts net-zero ambitions ‘in the fridge’

Build Back Better: 15 key questions for Anglian’s Peter Simpson

The road map for water companies to reach net zero by 2030, bringing forward spending from AMP8, and the big ask from government - these were just some of the themes on the agenda when Denise Chevin caught up with Anglian Water's chief executive.

Only 2% of heat pump installation goal being met

The government is supporting the installation each year of less than two per cent of the heat pumps, which are needed if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero emissions target, a new report has warned. The study, published by the IPPR thinktank, also says that nearly twice as much will have to be spent on decarbonising buildings as the £3 billion announced in last week’s Summer Statement.

Government eyes Green Investment Bank 2.0

Kwasi Kwarteng has revealed that the government is exploring the rebirth of the Green Investment Bank. The minister of state for energy said there was an “ongoing debate” within government about how to create a new mechanism to help finance the investment required to support the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions.

UU apprentices graduate following live-streamed assessments

Final year apprentices at United Utilities have been able to graduate despite lockdown measures thanks to new socially distanced assessments. Using a two metre selfie stick, apprentices were able to live stream their end point assessments.

Ofgem approves £25bn of upfront funding for RIIO2

Build Back Better: Plan for Utopia not 1984

Reality check: Can utilities build back better?

Utilities want to lead the charge on building back better, but can they overcome the constraints of their regulatory settlements, asks Jane Gray

Energy industry survey shows concern over policy gaps

Energy efficiency has been cited as the “biggest missed opportunity of the last decade” in a report released today by the Energy Institute. The Energy Barometer 2020, an annual survey of energy professionals, found that almost three quarters of the 350 respondents believe the government is not doing enough reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Utilities sector unites to support apprentices in post-pandemic world

Energy efficiency pledges are ‘a joke’

Former Whitehall advisor Tom Burke has accused the government of failing to take energy efficiency seriously and called for local politicians to take responsibility for rolling schemes out. Meanwhile, Eon UK chief executive Michael Lewis called for the Energy Company Obligation programme to be “ramped up” as part of a broader expansion of energy efficiency measures.

Homeworking can be a catalyst for change

Deben: Government advisors don’t understand energy efficiency

Resistance from the top echelons of government to a rapid rollout of energy efficiency measures reflects a lack of knowledge on the issue, Lord Deben has said. The Committee on Climate Change chair also called on BEIS to set up a mechanism to curb regulations that get in the way of the UK’s broader net-zero goal.

Build Back Better: What Scotland can teach us about retrofit

Johnson’s ‘New Deal’ branded ‘a false start’

The government has announced a fresh delay to the publication of the National Infrastructure Strategy as Boris Johnson’s blueprint for a post-lockdown infrastructure investment spree was criticised by green campaigners. There was disappointment in particular at the lack of focus on energy efficiency projects. See full reaction from across the industry.