Policy & Regulation
Gas
Ofgem toughens up on energy network returns
Ofgem has published plans to slash in half the returns that energy networks can make.
Power
Report calls for single consumer regulator for utilities
A new report has recommended the creation of a single "essential service consumer regulator" to cover all utilities.
Power
Ofgem consults on network charging reforms
Ofgem is consulting on reforms to the way some electricity network charges are set.
Policy & Regulation
NIC to carry out regulation study
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is to examine regulation of the UK's energy, telecoms and water industries.
Policy & Regulation
Cave confirmed as Ofgem chair
Martin Cave has been confirmed as the new chair of energy regulator Ofgem.
Gas
Dealing with uncertainty
"The future has never been more uncertain than it is now." That's the view of Mark Brackley, National Grid's project director for RIIO2, who spoke to Network editor Alec Peachey about a range of subjects including regulation, infrastructure policy and the future energy system.
Gas
Ofgem’s RIIO2 price controls move a step closer
Ofgem has confirmed that the default length of the next price controls will be five years with the energy regulator's plans to deliver savings of over £5 billion to consumers moving a step closer.
Gas
CMA calls for regulation of heat networks
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has called for regulation of the heat network industry and says that Ofgem is best placed to be the regulator.
Gas
Cave selected as preferred candidate to be next Ofgem chairman
Professor Martin Cave is the preferred candidate to be the next chairman of Ofgem.
Gas
Putting customers at the heart of RIIO2
Continuing our series of exclusive contributions from Cadent, Richard Court - head of regulation and external affairs - tells Network why Ofgem's RIIO2 framework consultation is at a critical stage.
Power
Keeping regulatory certainty
David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association (ENA), looks at how the cancellation of Ofgem's mid-period review could impact the energy networks.
Policy & Regulation
Utility Week Live: Call for multi-utility regulator
The creation of a multi-utility regulator and network regime would help improve collaboration across sectors, lower costs and simplify the industry for consumers. That's the view of Laura Sandys, CEO of Challenging Ideas, who spoke at this week's Utility Week Live during a discussion on the next round of RIIO price controls.
Gas
Utility Week Live: Brearley provides update on RIIO2
Jonathan Brearley, senior partner networks at Ofgem, provided an update on its proposals for a new regulatory framework at Utility Week Live earlier this week.
Heat
Switch2 Energy welcomes proposed heat network regulation
Community and district heating specialist Switch2 Energy has welcomed proposals to regulate the heat network sector by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Gas
Ofgem decides against mid-period review for networks price control
Ofgem has announced that it will not be launching a mid-period review (MPR) into the way the price control system for local electricity networks is working.
Gas
Utility Week Energy Summit
The UK's leading event for policymakers, investors, energy producers, distributors, retailers & wider stakeholders shaping the UK energy landscape
Power
Utility Week Congress 2018
The premier event for water, gas and electricity sector leaders offering strategic insight at the highest level.
Gas
Reshaping the energy landsdcape
Mark Brackley, National Grid's project RIIO2 director, reflects on the challenges for the RIIO2 regulatory period and how the industry can help shape National Grid's business plans.
Gas
More questions than answers
Maxine Frerk, former senior partner networks at Ofgem and now director of Grid Edge Policy, gives her views on RIIO2.
Power
Cutting the cost of the networks
In an exclusive article from Ofgem, Akshay Kaul - partner, networks - talks about how the regulator is cutting the cost of the networks for customers by tendering major grid upgrades.
Gas
Making the case for heat network funding
Ian Manders - UK energy policy advisor, Danish Embassy London, makes the case for appropriate consideration of social housing in UK government funding of efficient heat networks.
Gas
HSE’s ‘Future of Gas’ energy conference
Dr Stuart Hawksworth, head of HSE's Centre for Energy Innovation, looks ahead to the organisation's inaugural 'Safety Excellence in Energy: The Future of Gas' conference.
Gas
Ofgem calls on gas networks to join rest of sector in making customer repayments
Ofgem has urged Northern Gas Networks and West and Wales Utilities to follow the example of other gas network operators by making voluntary contributions to customers.
Power
Adapting to the new reality
This summer's decision by Ofgem and the government to block DNOs from owning and operating storage was seen by some as a blow. Network looks at how they are finding ways to adapt and use existing assets to identify future business opportunities.
Heat
Smart power alliance chair outlines importance of collaboration
The chair of a new group that wants to accelerate the move to smart power systems says a collaborative approach will be key when it comes to engaging with government.
Gas
Green gases could heat up to 15 million homes by 2050
Renewable gases could provide heat for up to 15 million homes in Britain by 2050, according a new report commissioned by Cadent.
Gas
Fossil fuel heating in new builds to be phased out in 2020s
The government will phase out the installation of fossil fuel heating in new build homes off the gas grid during the 2020s as part of a new wide-ranging clean growth strategy, while rebooting efforts to encourage carbon capture and storage.
Policy & Regulation
Ofgem ‘needs to build expertise’ to regulate networks effectively
Ofgem currently lacks the technical expertise needed to regulate networks effectively, a senior figure at Northern Gas Networks has warned.
Power
Ofgem chairman warns networks to be ‘mindful’ of their legitimacy
Ofgem's chairman David Gray has warned energy networks that they must be "mindful of the way they are perceived" after the publication of a report by Citizens Advice which claimed the companies are making £7.5 billion in unjustified profits.
Gas
Citizens Advice calls for automatic compensation for network customers
Citizens Advice has called for customers to be automatically paid all compensation they are entitled to when energy networks fail to meet performance standards.
Policy & Regulation
Storage to be classed as generation under Ofgem proposals
Ofgem has confirmed plans to clarify the licensing regime for electricity storage by classifying it solely as a form of generation.
