coronavirus

Build Back Better: Rundown regions have most to gain

CCC sets new date for ban on petrol and diesel car sales

Phasing out the sale of internal combustion engine cars and vans should be accelerated to 2032, the government’s influential climate change watchdog has urged. In its latest progress report on the UK’s efforts to cut emissions, the Committee on Climate Change also urges a rapid acceleration of hydrogen production and a move to annual Contracts for Difference auctions.

Citizens Advice calls for stronger ability-to-pay rules

Ofgem to allow deferral of additional balancing costs

Ofgem has capped balancing services use of system (BSUoS) costs at £15 per MWh until the end of August and introduced a licence modification allowing any additional costs due to Covid to be deferred to the next financial year. National Grid ESO's initial calculations had suggested a £400 million increase in balancing costs between May and August but this has now been revised to between £170 million and £300 million

Customer experience: Lessons from lockdown for energy suppliers

The UK’s lockdown period for coronavirus has prompted a mass recalibration of expectations around customer experience. How have consumers felt this change in their interactions with energy suppliers? And to what extent have suppliers been able to maintain control of the experience they have delivered for customers?

PM urged to take note of public zeal for net zero action

The members of the pioneering citizens assembly, which has been set up to help the UK chart a route to net-zero emissions, have overwhelmingly backed using post-pandemic stimulus measures to support carbon reduction. The chairs of the select committees which commissioned the assembly urged Boris Johnson to take account of the findings from an interim report on the views of the Climate Assembly UK.

Public concern for environment growing but water left behind

Despite the driest spring on record the British public still overwhelmingly considers the UK to be a wet place and many have no concerns about future water supplies. That is according to a new report by Love Water which also suggests people are more aware and concerned about the natural world as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

‘As homes become offices, energy efficiency is more vital than ever’

A national home upgrade programme will be the centrepiece of a five-point plan by Energy UK for putting the sector at the heart of the economy’s post-lockdown recovery. The trade body’s economics director Sam Hollister put the case forward that the widespread adoption of homeworking during the lockdown had increased the urgency of improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock

National Grid calls for offshore electricity network

Government rules out mandating smart meter installations

Anglian: Coronavirus uncertainty heightens need to invest

Anglian Water has reported strong performance financially, operationally and environmentally for 2019/20 as it reflects on the end of AMP6 and looks ahead to AMP7.

Ofgem signals end to Covid-19 compliance relaxation

Ofgem’s chief executive Jonathan Brearley has set out his expectation that the energy sector will start to return to business as usual from next month. The regulator has written to suppliers, networks and the electricity system operator informing them that normal regulatory rules will apply from 1 July. Brearley said that while Covid-19 guidance must still be adhered to, now was the time for a “steady recovery” to begin.

NI Water: ‘Act now to protect water supplies’

Ofwat extends retail code change

The water sector regulator has extended a scheme which allows business customers to mark their premises as vacant if they are unable to trade because of coronavirus. The measure, which was temporarily in place until the end of June has been extended until 31 July.

National Grid extends contract to limit output from Sizewell B