Rob Horgan

Electricity networks are seeking ways to create revenue streams by exporting goods and services overseas. The ENA and BEAMA have announced that the next phase of the Sector Growth Plan will “explore the potential to become a world leader in network technology, capabilities and Intellectual Property Rights”, in a bid to create…

The government and Ofgem has issued a joint letter asking for a pause on all “potentially nugatory activity or spend on progressing solutions to make available smart metering data”. For its part, Ofgem has announced that it is stopping its work on two code modification proposals related to smart meter…

Maintenance budgets set for water companies to spend during the current five-year asset maintenance period (AMP8) could be billions of pounds short of what is needed. Analysis of Ofwat’s PR24 final determinations concludes that companies appear to be spending less than half of what they would need to sustainably maintain their networks over the long term. Water UK claims that the gap could be as much as £29 billion.

Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas has expressed her dismay at the conclusion of the government’s root and branch review of Ofgem. The trade body’s CEO slammed the review as falling short of the radical reform that she deemed necessary. Reforms announced by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) include giving Ofgem powers to block energy companies from paying out bonusses to their senior executives.

Utility Week deputy editor Rob Horgan rounds up the biggest news of the week, with long overdue government announcements finally seeing the light of day.

For every £1 invested in biomethane, 85p stays in the UK. This is the highest UK retention share of any renewable or low carbon technology, according to research commissioned by the Green Gas Taskforce and Cadent. In comparison, just 45p in every £1 invested in offshore wind stays in the…

Chris Train will leave his post as South East Water chair with immediate effect. The water company has announced that Train mutually agreed to stand down following discussions with the board regarding the company’s recovery and transformation plan. The announcement coincides with a damning report by the environment, food and…

National Gas delivery innovation manager Katie Petherbridge has bemoaned the “huge disparity” between the amount of money set aside for innovations in electricity versus the gas sector. Petherbridge said a lack of policy certainty on the future of gas is inevitably leading to a cautious approach to innovation funding from…

Plans for expanded heat network zoning must be paused until price protections are drawn up for customers. That is one of the key recommendations from the London Assembly Environment Committee, following its investigation into heat networks in the capital.

Ming Yang UK chief executive Aman Wang said that the Chinese manufacturer still hasn’t been given an adequate explanation why its plans to build a massive wind turbine factory in Scotland were blocked by government. Wang bemoaned the politicisation of the decision and called for clarity around national security rules…