Ofgem has appointed a former Centrica executive as its permanent director of retail.
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Energy retail
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Introducing carbon MOTs for customers’ homes could help with the lack of understanding around the impact domestic heating has on net zero, a new report has suggested. The report, Getting to net zero, by Energy Systems Catapult on behalf of Shell Energy Retail includes new polling which shows just nine per cent of customers plan to switch to low-carbon heating when they replace their current boiler.
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Gridserve has bought the remaining stake in Ecotricity’s Electric Highway less than three months after purchasing a minority stake in the business. The electric vehicle (EV) network was established in 2011 by the green energy supplier and it was revealed in March this year that Gridserve was to invest in the company and upgrade its charging infrastructure.
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The Independent Networks Association (INA) has called for the implementation of the Future Homes Standard to be coordinated with planning and regulatory milestones for electricity and gas networks. Executive director Nicola Pitts told Utility Week it should possibly be delayed until the end of the RIIO2 price controls for electricity distribution in 2028, giving networks time to establish how flexibility from heat pumps can be used to reduce their impact on the power grid.
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Financial difficulties faced by utility customers due to Covid may not be fully felt for several years, a senior policy officer at Citizens Advice has warned.
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Eon has launched a salary sacrifice scheme for its employees, helping them to lease an electric vehicle (EV) as part of its sustainability aims. The large supplier electrified its company cars in 2019 and the new salary sacrifice scheme will allow non-company car drivers to access an EV.
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Overall satisfaction with customer service has dipped to an all-time low for the energy sector, research from Ofgem has revealed. The regulator’s quarterly consumer perception of the energy market survey has polled thousands of customers each quarter since Q4 2018.
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As the second anniversary of the vote to implement a net zero emissions by 2050 target fast approaches, Data Communications Company chief executive Angus Flett talks about the crucial need for a smart EV network. Specifically, how a new trial taking place at the DCC’s Manchester testing facility can provide solutions to augment the current approach to EV charging.
Opinion
Shifting low-carbon levies off electricity bills would not only reduce the differential between the running costs for heat pumps and gas boilers, but also strengthen the price signals provided by locational and time-of-use charges, a new report has argued.
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In our latest round-up of industry appointments, Thames Water has announced a new director to head its new renewables division. Meanwhile, fledgling disruptor brand Rebel Energy has announced a raft of appointments to its newly-created board.
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Switches between electricity suppliers hit an “unusual low” last month, the latest figures from Electralink have revealed. May saw the lowest monthly switches completed outside of the annual January dip since July 2017. Electralink has also predicted that the market share of the large legacy suppliers could fall below 50 per cent as soon as next year.
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The government has been urged to invest £40 million to improve advice on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers in schools and colleges in England. A new report from EngineeringUK highlights the added difficulties presented by the pandemic in connecting young people with employers in sectors such as utilities.
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With bad debt risk spiralling for energy providers, and growing economic uncertainty for customers, both groups are seeking new ways to settle their energy bills. In a new technical white paper, Siemens make the case for leveraging two innovative technologies, Managed Credit and Open Banking, to realise a compelling fourth payment option, which strikes a unique balance between credit risk and operational costs.
Opinion
Sadiq Khan has been asked to apologise for his energy company London Power’s £880,000 loss in its first year of operation.
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In our latest review of sector coverage in the national newspapers, it is claimed that Bulb has struck a deal to delay repaying £55 million of loans. Meanwhile, new figures show gas use in April and May was up by a third and electric vehicle charge points are to get an “iconic” makeover.
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A study of 223 energy tariffs has shown just one in six (37) were available to customers who have had a smart meter installed. The research also shows customers with a smart meter pay £18 more than those without.
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Nicola Sturgeon has admitted that Scotland has not done “well enough” to harness the economic benefits of the country’s renewable energy boom after being pressed to deliver her party’s manifesto pledge to establish a public power company.
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How is the drive for net zero transforming expectations of customer service operations? Utility Week asked energy and water leaders to tell us their experiences.
Analysis