Sign Up
Log in

Policy

Latest in Policy

‘Triage’ process to prioritise strategic connections
The government will manage a “triage” process for prioritising the connection of strategically important energy projects as part of its joint action plan with Ofgem for speeding up grid connections. Working with the regulator, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will establish a Connections Delivery Board to oversee the implementation of the six-point plan, which aims to cut the average wait for a connection from 5 years to 6 months.  
News
Government calls for shared multi-sector PSR
The government has announced it is exploring options to introduce a single, multi-sector Priority Service Register (PSR) to help vulnerable utility consumers. Under plans announced as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday (22 November) energy, water and telecoms companies would share data so those most in need only need to disclose information about their vulnerability once, regardless of where they live.  
News
Smart meter deadline in 2025 is ‘not helpful’
The deadline for energy suppliers to complete the smart meter rollout by the end of 2025 has been described as “not helpful” by a deputy director of the industry’s trade body. Energy UK’s deputy director of retail policy, Daniel Portis, was speaking to Utility Week following the news that six retailers have agreed to pay out almost £11 million after failing to hit their installation targets last year.
News
Making the case for a ‘social discount’
As the cost-of-living crisis plunges more people into energy poverty, calls for a fully formed social tariff continue to grow. Writing for Utility Week, Utilita CEO Bill Bullen gives his take on support options and puts forward the case for a ‘social discount’ to help vulnerable customers.
Opinion
Experts split on size of long duration storage target
Experts on long duration energy storage (LDES) are split on the necessary target needed to deliver the UK's decarbonisation goal. While some experts have urged the government to set a long-term target of up to 100TWh, others have suggested that a smaller “no regrets” target should be set to “get the ball rolling” on LDES. However, government officials have refused to be pushed on the possible size of a target.
News
Energy minister resisted PPM ban days before practice paused
A government minister and energy retailers pushed back against calls to introduce a mandatory ban on the forced installation of prepayment meters (PPM) just days before revelations at British Gas came to light, Utility Week can reveal. Meeting minutes obtained via a Freedom of Information request show that energy minister Graham Stuart was particularly concerned that introducing a mandatory moratorium on forced PPM installations would result in an increase in customers refusing to pay their bills.
News
The nightmare before winter: Under the micro-scope
With many microbusiness energy customers feeling “overlooked, and misunderstood” when it comes to financial support from government, Valda Energy boss Steve James writes for Utility Week about the impact the cost of living crisis is having on these consumers.
Opinion
Government must not slip back into complacency on CfDs
The government must not slip back into the complacency that ultimately led to the failure of the latest Contracts for Difference (CfDs) auctions to attract any bids from offshore wind projects, an industry expert has warned. Earlier this week, the government announced hikes to the strike price caps for next year’s auctions but Adam Bell, director of policy at Stonehaven, said further changes are needed to prevent a repeat of the problems that emerged during allocation round five (AR5).
News
Energy is ‘becoming a luxury’ for millions
Energy is “becoming a luxury” for millions of UK households and the government’s response to the crisis has been “woefully inadequate”, a national fuel poverty charity has warned. Fuel Bank Foundation, which provides emergency financial support to prepayment meter (PPM) customers, as well as those who use alternative fuels, has published its latest report which highlights the extreme lengths some are going to as a result of fuel poverty. It has made a number of recommendations it wants to see implemented including, among other things, increasing benefits in line with inflation and implementing a national energy efficiency programme.
News
High offshore wind strike price consequence of AR5 failure
The government could have avoided setting such a high offshore wind strike price for its upcoming contracts for difference (CfD) auction if it had heeded industry warnings during the last round, energy analysts have suggested. It comes after the government announced a 66% increase in the offshore wind administrative strike price cap for the next CfD auction, after the last round attracted no bids.
News
Private rental sector ‘ill-prepared’ for net zero
British Gas has called on the government to introduce kitemarked loans and tax relief for energy efficiency measures in the private rental sector, which it says is “ill-prepared” for net zero. In a new report, Greening the Private Rental Sector, the Centrica-backed supplier highlights what it sees as the focus of home decarbonisation and insulation schemes on low income homeowners and the social rented sector, while the private rental sector “has been left out of policy discussion and research”.
News
FSO to establish ‘Regional Energy Strategic Planners’ across Great Britain
The Future System Operator (FSO) will be tasked with establishing a series of Regional Energy Strategic Planners (RESPs) across Great Britain, Ofgem has confirmed. Working with local government and networks, the bodies will create strategic plans setting out how energy systems in each region should be developed to meet national net zero targets, whilst also taking into account local needs and resources.
News
Close
Clear
Close

Request a call back