Utility Week

Top stories today (£) 💰 Ofwat-style mechanism for ED3 would reduce reliance on re-openers https://lnkd.in/ejuSfMRx Borrowing a financial mechanism from Ofwat for the ED3 price control would help reduce reliance on re-openers, Energy UK has suggested. The trade body is calling for the introduction of an adaptive pathway planning framework, which was a feature of PR24, to force distribution network operators (DNOs) to provide “significantly more detail in their business plans” to negate the need for re-openers. ⚡ National Grid makes 30 tweaks to controversial scheme https://lnkd.in/e-sUKU2s National Grid has tabled 30 changes to its Norwich to Tilbury network upgrade. The scheme’s project director Simon Pepper told Utility Week that the tweaks are a result of National Grid’s efforts to put community feedback “at the heart” of the upgrade. Changes along the 112 mile route include repositioning the alignment of sections of overhead line and removing pylons in specific locations. 🚿 Water company fines will not be ringfenced for restoring waterways https://lnkd.in/esTurevB Fines collected from water companies will not be ringfenced for restoring local waterways, despite calls from politicians and environment groups. MPs voted against an amendment to the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which would have seen millions of pounds pumped into the existing Water Restoration Fund.

Nominate or enter the Women in Utilities Awards to shine a spotlight on the incredible women making a difference in the industry, and the allies who support and empower them. View the categories and enter: https://bit.ly/4j3ElUt

Have you seen the new category lineup for the Utility Week #FlexAwards? The Awards recognise the people and projects advancing the emerging energy flexibility market. This is your chance to show the industry you're influencing the future of energy flexibility! Here's a link to the categories: https://bit.ly/3CkGfj2 See the entry guide: https://bit.ly/3PMb82K The awards presentation will be held on the show floor at Utility Week Live 2025 (20 May, NEC). Final entry deadline is 26 February. #utilityweeklive #energyflexibility #flexibleenergy #uwl25

We're pleased to announce that Money Wellness is a co-sponsor for the Utility Week Customer Summit. Attend the event to hear from their external relations manager discussing "Strengthening customer support through collaboration". Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4fRv2EP #CustomerSummit #customer #conference #customersupport

Top stories today (£) 💷 Ovo clears path for Kaluza sale https://buff.ly/3CsF9BI OVO has “cleared the way” for a wider sale of Kaluza, after offloading a 20% stake in the company to Australian energy company AGL. The retailer confirmed that it has completed a deal with AGL worth around $100 million (c.£80 million). However, sources close to the company have suggested that Ovo isn’t finished yet and is looking into a wider sell-off of its software company. As part of a wider reorganisation of the business, Ovo has also reached a deal to acquire its brand from the company's founder Stephen Fitzpatrick. ⚡ Brearley’s first five years at Ofgem: The verdict https://buff.ly/4jt4Y5g As Jonathan Brearley is handed another five-year term at the helm of Ofgem, Utility Week gauges reaction on how he has performed since 2020. We rate his leadership of Ofgem, his approach to networks, retail and the wider energy system – and ask what the markers of success will be for the next five years. ⏩ Ofgem fast-tracks proposals to flatten out locational transmission charges https://buff.ly/40zHT8o Ofgem has fast-tracked proposals from SSE plc that would flatten out locational transmission charges, reducing the difference between the north and south of the country. The regulator agreed that they should be considered in parallel with its own proposals to apply a cap and floor on generators’ transmission charges, which the National Energy System Operator took forward and launched a consultation on last week.

Hear from FEN, Gas Networks Ireland, and The NIC on how we can deliver the gas network of the future, at the Utility Week Future Networks Conference, 18 March. For more information and to secure your place, click here: https://bit.ly/3UY6imi #FutureNetworks

Utility Week Live's FREE-to-attend Keynote Programme is now live - take a look! https://lnkd.in/egK9AyTb Joining the stellar lineup of Keynote speakers are Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary under-secretary of state, Minister for energy consumers, and Iain Coucher, Chair, Ofwat. Get first-hand insights from them and other industry giants leading the change in #UKutilities by saving your seat: https://lnkd.in/eQ82yAAt Be part of the discussions around #CleanPower2030, delivering major #infrastructure projects, and the evolving sector. Explore #government priorities and the #regulatory frameworks that will impact the industry in the years ahead. Don't miss it. Regitser FREE: https://lnkd.in/eQ82yAAt #UWL25 #utilityweeklive

Top stories today (£) ⚡ Smart meter reform doesn’t have to mean handing rollout to DNOs https://buff.ly/4gjSBFX With the smart meter rollout continuing to lag, there have been calls for energy networks to take on the responsibility. However, maxine frerk, former Ofgem partner and a member of the Energy Geeks think tank, explains why she remains sceptical that this is the answer. 💧 MPs to vote on abolishing Ofwat https://buff.ly/4aRVvkl MPs are set to vote on the prospect of abolishing Ofwat. It is one of a series of proposed amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which will be debated in the House of Commons. Other amendments up for debate include changing the way price reviews operate; limiting the amount companies can borrow; and placing water companies into special administration if they breach environmental conditions. 👨💻 Environment Agency is still using IT systems from 1990s https://buff.ly/42vVe4k The Environment Agency (EA) is still using IT systems dating back to the 1990s, the organisation’s chief executive has revealed. In a letter, responding to chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves' call for ideas on stimulating economic growth, Phillip Duffy writes that the EA’s IT systems have "not kept pace with technological change" with some dating back to the 1990s.

Download Utility Week's report, created in association with Hometrack (part of Houseful): Introducing your new customer – before you meet them. Predictive property intelligence helps gain new customers and retain existing ones by letting you know about house moves ahead of time. Read now for full insights: https://bit.ly/4awbh4b #Utilities #PropertyIntelligence

🚨 New vulnerability commitment chair 🚨 EDF (UK)'s former strategy director is to become chair of Energy UK’s vulnerability commitment, Utility Week can reveal. Paul Spence, who spent 15 years as EDF’s director of strategy and corporate affairs before stepping down last September, will take over from Steve Crabb, who had been in the role since the commitment’s inception in 2021. More here (£):