Regulation

Ofgem cuts £80m from National Grid’s Hinkley connection costs

Ofgem is proposing to use its RIIO framework to fund the connection of the new reactor at Hinkley Point C instead of its competition proxy model.

Will the sun set on the energy price cap in 2023?

With Ofgem recently publishing its framework for assessing whether effective competition exists to remove the price cap, industry experts have voiced their concerns about the smart meter rollout being an indicator of success. A legislative “sunset clause” stipulates the cap will end in 2023, but some commentators remain sceptical.

PR19 is at ‘point of maximum tension’

Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher opens up about the mounting pressure as the 11 December deadline approaches for its final determinations on water company business plans for the next five years.

Political Agenda: The white paper will have taken a year to emerge

Utility Week policy correspondent David Blackman says clues to how the Conservatives will tackle the net-zero conundrum are expected to be thin on the ground in the Queen's speech. The industry will instead be looking to the long-delayed energy white paper, now expected at the end of this year or beginning of next.

Shake-up of ‘short-termist’ regulatory regime proposed

Regulators should be equipped with new powers to ensure utilities invest in sustainable infrastructure and a tougher price control regime introduced for monopoly companies, the National Infrastructure Commission has concluded in its long-awaited report.

Renationalisation would be a disaster for net zero

It’s private investment – not state ownership – that’s our best bet to realise the UK’s target of net zero by 2050, says ENA chief executive, David Smith.

Tough price controls threaten utilities’ credit ratings

For new Ofgem chief the heat is on

The speculation is finally over. Ofgem has named Jonathan Brearley as the man set to take on arguably the toughest job in regulation right now. And the heat is already on. In fact, as hot seats go, this one is fairly off the scale, says Suzanne Heneghan.

Southern agrees new commitments as £126m penalty is confirmed

As part of its £126m settlement for failures in operating sewage treatment sites and misreporting its performance, Southern has agreed to repay former customers who no longer live within its area. It has also agreed bonuses linked to wastewater compliance will not be paid when the company fails to meet its relevant performance commitments.

ClientEarth mulling legal challenge to consent for gas turbines at Drax

River pollution alert service extended

The Environment Agency (EA) has extended its online service offering updates on pollution incidents to cover another 16 areas of London and parts of the Home Counties.

National campaign needed to cut water usage

As Ofwat publishes its new strategy, chief executive Rachel Fletcher tells Utility Week that good intentions by chief executives now need to be backed by action. She also puts forward the case for a national campaign educating the public on water consumption.

Hazy future for wind risks slowing cost reductions

Regulator calls on BEIS to introduce monthly RO payments

Ofgem’s CEO told Utility Week Congress he has written to the government urging changes to the Renewables Obligation scheme to require suppliers to pay more regularly. Dermot Nolan also talked about how Ofgem may have to become more “interventionalist” and hinted that a consultation on embedding the net-zero journey in the regulatory process is imminent.

Ofgem to remove trading obligation for incumbent suppliers