Policy & Regulation
Gas
Time to regulate heat networks
New regulations planned for heat networks will protect consumers and reduce risks for developers, explains Charlotte Owen, policy officer at the Association for Decentralised Energy - in part of our Utility of the Future series.
Power
National Grid ESO pledges £2bn savings under RIIO-T2
The National Grid ESO is anticipating the creation of savings and benefits worth £2bn in the RIIO-T2 price control period, according to the finalised business plan it submitted to Ofgem this week.
Gas
SSEN projects £2.4bn investment in RIIO-T2 plan
SSEN Transmission, responsible for the north of Scotland electricity transmission system, has submitted its RIIO-T2 business plan to energy regulator Ofgem, with a plan to invest £2.4bn.
Heat
Ofgem seeks views on ‘key enabler’ in DSO transition
Ofgem has launched a consultation on what it says will be a "key enabler" in networks' ongoing evolution into distribution system operators: the format and content of electricity networks' long term development statements (LTDS).
Power
National Grid backs PowerPaired community energy platform
Sustainability charity Forum for the Future has launched a new online "matchmaking" platform to pair up community energy groups and the businesses or public sector organisations that own sites or buildings that could be at the heart of community-owned schemes.
Policy & Regulation
SSEN identifies seven steps to net-zero in DSO transition report
Seven key policies, including changes to the Ofgem regulatory regime to facilitate "anticipatory investment", would ensure that UK electricity network infrastructure is prepared for net-zero, a report by distribution network operator SSEN has argued.
Heat
Energy sector urges politicians to unite for net-zero
Energy businesses, academics and trade bodies are among 40 organisations and individuals that have signed an open letter calling on political leaders to form a post-election pact on achieving net-zero.
Gas
Only joined-up policy will pave the way to net-zero
The Johnson government, and now the party manifestos, have provided plenty of promising ideas on decarbonisation, but delays on implementation and lack of cohesion between different agendas mean that good ideas are getting lost, argues James Basden, founded and director at battery storage company Zenobe Energy.
Gas
Consumer power key to heat pump roll-out, says HPA
The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has launched a new report, "Delivering net zero: A roadmap for the role of heat Pumps", outlining the heat pump industry's readiness to deliver decarbonisation of heat.
Gas
Making climate change local with UK100
Global cities have the C40 grouping, and now local councils have the UK100 group to raise ambitions and share know-how on the clean energy agenda. The organisation's Hywel Lloyd and Polly Billington explain the challenge, especially with RIIO-2 on the horizon.
Gas
Labour’s nationalisation plan adds ‘Big Six’ to DNOs
Labour has extended its renationalisation agenda with plans to bring the supply arms of the Big Six energy companies into public ownership, a surprise move announced at its manifesto launch on 21 November that has prompted concern in the sector.
Power
Critics fear Ofgem’s charging review will stifle renewables
Ofgem has held firm on its plan to reform the way the electricity networks recover the cost of providing pylons and cabling from consumers, a decision that it says will remove "harmful distortions" from the current charging framework.
Gas
ENA launches election wish list for net-zero
As the general election campaign moves up a gear, energy network companies have called on political leaders to commit to taking bold action to achieve net-zero.
Gas
ETI calls for ‘smart’ charging and incentives on EV adoption
A new report by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) argues that "smart" charging is needed to support the widespread integration of electric cars and vans into the energy system to meet the UK's 2050 climate change targets.
Gas
Europe-wide survey scores GB low on electricity system flexibility
Great Britain ranks eighth out of nine northern European countries in attracting and facilitating investment in electricity system flexibility, says a new industry report published by the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA).
Policy & Regulation
Flexibility platforms could launch smarter networks
Flexibility is the buzzword of our times, but it may ring hollow to the "flex provider" that just misses out on a DNO contract. Elexon chief executive Mark Bygraves explains its proposal for new online marketplaces that will allow buyers and sellers to trade with full flexibility.
Heat
OPSS advises on new heat network notification rules
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the government agency responsible for enforcing the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014, has announced changes to the official notification process for heat network operators.
Gas
Net-zero will need a regulation review, contractor warns
New thinking on energy regulation that better supports network investment will be required if the UK is going to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to Burns and McDonnell, a US based engineering and construction business operating in the UK since 2017.
Power
Northern Powergrid calls on Ofgem to set out clear DSO ground rules
Northern Powergrid is urging Ofgem to provide more clarity on the underlying ground rules for network operators as they make the shift into new types of business operations as Distribution System Operators (DSOs).
Gas
Labour outlines fast track to zero carbon energy by 2030
The Labour Party has unveiled a report setting out an accelerated plan to fully eliminate carbon emissions from the UK's energy system by 2030, including goals of installing 8 million heat pumps and insulating 27 million homes.
Power
RIIO-ED2: a unique opportunity for change?
Christopher Watts, director for regulatory affairs at S&C Electric Company, discusses RIIO-ED2 and how the role of networks is changing.
Gas
UK needs ‘Olympic’ delivery body to drive shift to net zero heating, says think tank
MPs and members of the public are equally in the dark over the urgency of decarbonising the heat network, raising the need to establish a powerful new body to coordinate the complex task, according to a report by cross-party think tank Policy Connect.
Power
Ofgem sets out DSO policy position
A new positioning paper from the regulator has outlined its approach to the development of Distribution System Operation policy.
Gas
Ofgem consults on RIIO-ED2 approach
Ofgem has opened a consultation on its proposed approach to the next price control for the electricity distribution networks.
Policy & Regulation
Challenges around RIIO2
Mark Fitch, an energy regulation expert at PA Consulting, asks will Ofgem's RIIO2 decision dampen the network companies' energy for moving to net zero?
Gas
National Grid sets out RIIO2 spending plans
National Grid will spend £7.4 billion on electricity transmission over the RIIO2 price control period, according to figures unveiled in its draft business plan which has been submitted to Ofgem's RIIO2 Challenge Group.
Power
£1.4bn spending plan unveiled by SP Energy Networks for RIIO2
SP Energy Networks has set out plans to spend £1.4 billion on its transmission network between 2021 and 2026.
Gas
Ofgem confirms RIIO2 price control methodology
Ofgem has confirmed plans to almost slash in half the returns that energy networks can make.
Gas
Investing in the energy decarbonisation transformation benefits consumers
National Grid's head of regulatory finance, Darren Pettifer, says that Ofgem's plans to slash in half the returns that energy networks can earn could put at risk a once in a generation opportunity to transform the energy system, and prevent longer-term benefits to consumers.
Power
Ofgem publishes decisions on proposed transmission links
Energy regulator Ofgem has approved a proposal by Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) to build a 600MW subsea electricity transmission link from Shetland to mainland Scotland.
Policy & Regulation
SSEN outlines RIIO2 transmission plan
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has released a new report outlining its preliminary plan for the transmission network in the north of Scotland during the second set of RIIO price controls.
