Regulation

Northern Ireland’s RHI scheme was a ‘project too far’, inquiry finds

Northern Ireland’s devolved administration over-reached itself when it launched its version of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, according to a damning report into the province’s “cash for ash” scandal.

DNOs plead for clarity on pandemic position

A senior figure at one of the country’s distribution network operators (DNO) has called for a clear message on how its workers will be treated if the coronavirus spread becomes a pandemic in the UK. They said Ofgem needed to confirm which licence conditions would be relaxed in such a situation and that a discussion was also necessary about social distancing rules for lifeline service providers.

Cox warns river pollution is next frontier of public outrage

Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox has claimed the water sector is falling “woefully short” on restoring the country’s rivers to a healthy state. Cox said that the issue could overtake leakage as the principal concern for the public about water company performance.

Cave says RIIO-2 will include ‘substantial’ net-zero re-openers

Ofgem chairman Martin Cave has said the regulator is “wrestling” with how to address net-zero commitments in the price control process.

Bank’s data specialist joins Ofgem board

Ofgem has appointed the chief data officer of Lloyds Banking Group as its new non-executive director. The new role for Barry Panayi, which starts on Monday, was hinted at by the regulator’s chairman Martin Cave in a speech at Utility Week’s Investor Summit last week.

Wessex and Bristol downgraded following final determinations

‘Environment Bill is a wasted opportunity’

Kwarteng: Energy system must adapt to keep pace with innovation

The rapidly evolving nature of the energy system may trigger reform of its regulation, the energy minister has said. Kwasi Kwarteng promised that a whole chapter of the government’s upcoming white paper would be devoted to energy systems and the challenges involved in their design.

Ofgem overrules BSC panel to remove charges from interconnectors

Cox dismisses credit rating downgrades

Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox has dismissed fears over the financeability of water companies in the wake of PR19, accusing managements of using the threat of credit rating downgrades to put pressure on the regulator. Cox's comments came as Ofwat revealed the results of its annual investor survey.

Ofgem ‘disappointed’ with Scottish Power’s lack of progress on complaints

Ofgem has confirmed the opening of a compliance case into Scottish Power’s complaints procedures and has warned the company could face enforcement action if it does not improve. The regulator added that it has been “increasingly concerned” about the volume of Scottish Power’s referrals to consumer bodies.

Ofwat chair lauds listed companies over private capital

Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox remarked on the divide between listed companies and private equity in the water sector, praising the “full transparency” and “market feedback” offered by the former. He also commented on whether he would consider building advantages for listed companies into the regulatory regime.

Mixing energy and water

In the latest of a series of articles exclusively for Utility Week members, Maxine Frerk – former senior partner networks at Ofgem – gives her view on the price control processes across the utilities sector. She examines the themes emerging from the PR19 appeals and what read across we can identify for the price reviews in energy.

New DCC incentives to tackle underperformance

Five energy suppliers banned from taking on customers