In this consultation to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) on the community benefit of electricity transmission network infrastructure we argue that greater funding and clarity on how new projects will benefit local communities is vital. We also are weary of a voluntary approach and believe communities must be properly engaged within this process
Associate Martin Hurst cautions against the unintended consequences and missed opportunities arising from the public outcry over storm discharges. This article first appeared in the June 2023 issue of The Water Report: www.thewaterreport.co.uk
Ofgem is exploring alternative models for how it regulates the network companies. We agree that the pace and scale of investment needed in electricity networks means new approaches may be needed. However we are concerned that this sort of radical review risks creating a hiatus when we do not have the time.
There is a received wisdom in orthodox economics and treasury theology that argues against governments ‘picking winners’. The classic example that this is not a good idea would be Concorde – a winner ‘picked’ by the UK and French governments which went massively overbudget, and never succeeded in claiming more than a very small niche market with few commercial spin-offs.
The Mail on Sunday's recent article “Hard-up customers of energy firm OVO hit with shock emails telling them to pay hundreds of pounds in unexpected charges[1]” is a stark reminder of two glaring problems in the energy industry. Firstly, Ofgem needs to deliver on its promise to strengthen back-billing protections for customers. Secondly, smart meters need to deliver on their promise of accurate bills.
We welcome Ofgem’s consultation on approaches to local energy institutions and governance but would like Ofgem to think more deeply about the practical reality that local actors face in delivering net-zero. This includes Ofgem taking a far broader view of what ‘good outcomes’ look like in an energy world where place matters. We also want more discussion on how the Future System Operator is best-suited to the role of regional energy-system planner and market facilitator.
This was the second End User Forum in response to REMA. The aim of the forum, held in April 2023, was to understand attendees' views on different options for passing through locational signals to end users, if at all. Discussions focussed on the different ways signals could be passed through and fairness considerations.
We set out the different ways in which innovation could be encouraged in the utilities sector, distinguishing between three different timeframes and addressing technological, consumer facing, process based, commercial and institutional aspects, that all are important in the energy, water and telecoms sectors.
As the Government develops its review of Economic Regulation, many of the lessons from our report on policy and regulation of utilities from two years ago still hold true; the need for an overhaul of regulatory processes to take account of long-term issues remains vital
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