coronavirus

‘No plans’ to furlough staff at major energy suppliers

Scottish Power, Bulb and Shell Energy have all told Utility Week they will not be following industry peers in furloughing staff.  EDF has said that while it continues to monitor the situation, it has not put any employees on leave. 

EDF introduces 12-hour shifts at nuclear sites

A suite of measures to mitigate the impacts of coronavirus have been introduced by EDF across its nuclear power stations, Utility Week has learnt. As well as moving to two shifts per day, the company is also bolstering the ranks of those who are authorised for nuclear operational roles. It has stressed it is “extremely unlikely” plants will have to be quarantined.

Coronavirus: Ofgem offers regulatory flexibility to networks and suppliers

Impact of coronavirus sees challenger lower tariff

Igloo Energy has announced a 30 per cent cut to its gas prices as coronavirus continues to impact global wholesale prices. However, industry observers do not expect other suppliers to follow suit.

Storms and lockdown make renewables Britain’s main source of power

British Gas furloughs 3,800 staff

Coronavirus: Drastic action needed to prevent charging spikes

Ovo unveils £50m hardship scheme

Ovo Energy has unveiled a series of measures to extend credit and temporary payment reductions to its most vulnerable customers. The supplier added it was working with other retailers and Ofgem to find a solution to longer-term financial hardship. Meanwhile Thames Water has revealed it is working with more than 170 care homes and hospitals across its region to bolster resilience plans during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ombudsman gives suppliers more complaint handling time

Utility Week has seen a letter from Energy Ombudsman chief executive Matthew Vickers advising energy suppliers on new complaints handling measures, which will allow them an additional month to submit evidence. Going forward the service will also prioritise the most urgent cases.

Eon furloughs 4,000 staff

#AskUsAnything webinar: Does coronavirus threaten net zero?

Regulatory No Man’s Land

In the latest of a series of articles exclusively for Utility Week members, Maxine Frerk – former Ofgem executive – asks whether the regulators have responded quickly and decisively enough on the implications of the coronavirus outbreak. As well as assessing whether their reassurances go far enough, she examines which parts of the regulatory programme could safely be put on hold.

Vickers: ‘Challenging’ for government to offer support direct to suppliers

Matthew Vickers, chief executive of the Energy Ombudsman, has said any government intervention in the energy supply market would be better directed at consumers rather than the retailers themselves. However, another industry expert took a differing view while stressing that suppliers would simply have to accept a dip in revenue from business customers.

Utility apprentices moved to frontline roles

Blockages add pressure to key workers

At a time when workforces are under increased pressure and restricted working conditions, sewage workers are forced to deal with thousands of extra sewer blockages caused by households flushing kitchen rolls, wet wipes and newspaper down the toilet.