News
Power
£3.8m network boost for Western Isles
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has completed a £3.8 million programme of works to reinforce and improve the electricity network in the Western Isles.
Power
International award for UKPN
UK Power Networks has received international recognition for its work including the development of a smart grid.
Gas
New report into hydrogen as a transport fuel
Cadent has published a new study into use of network-delivered hydrogen as a low-carbon transport fuel.
Power
UKPN appoints chair for customer engagement group
UK Power Networks has appointed Ann Bishop as chair of its RIIO-ED2 customer engagement group (CEG).
Power
Second World War aircraft discovered by National Grid engineers
A Second World War aircraft has been recovered from the seabed 500m off the Portsmouth coast after being discovered by National Grid engineers.
Power
First ever fortnight of coal-free operation
National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has confirmed the first ever fortnight of coal-free operation of Great Britain's electricity system.
Technology & Operations
TV’s Robert Llewellyn speaks to Network
Network content director Jane Gray spoke to electric vehicle advocate and TV star Robert Llewellyn at Utility Week Live 2019. See the exclusive video interview here.
Gas
Video interviews from Utility Week Live
Network editor Alec Peachey interviewed some key industry representatives at this year's Utility Week Live - see the videos here or watch them in our library section.
Technology & Operations
WPD starts work on £6m Cadbury substation
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has started work on a £6 million scheme that serves Cadbury's historic factory in Bournville, Birmingham.
Power
Customers overcharged by £24bn due to regulator error, Citizens Advice claims
Regulators have allowed water, energy, broadband and telephone networks to overcharge customers by £24.1 billion over the past 15 years, according to research carried out by Citizens Advice.
Technology & Operations
SSEN to remove transmission lines from Cairngorms National Park
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission) will remove 12km of overhead transmission lines from the Cairngorms National Park after receiving funding from Ofgem.
Power
Unexploded stash of grenades unearthed by power engineers
Engineers from SP Energy Networks discovered a stash of 70 unexploded Home Guard phosphorous grenades while carrying out routine improvement works in Dumfries & Galloway.
Gas
Ofgem confirms RIIO2 price control methodology
Ofgem has confirmed plans to almost slash in half the returns that energy networks can make.
Gas
Cadent agrees to pay £24m for past failings
Cadent has agreed to pay £24 million and establish a £20m community fund after an intervention from energy regulator Ofgem over three serious failings.
Power
UKPN reveals electricity network control system plans
Network operator UK Power Networks has unveiled plans for what it claims is the world's most advanced electricity network control system.
Gas
Catapult announces board additions
Former MP Laura Sandys and Ofcom director Cristina Data will join the Energy Systems Catapult board as non-executive directors, while Hannah Bronwin is set to become commercial director.
Power
Aberdeen substation transformed
An Aberdeen substation has been transformed into a colourful boombox mural thanks to a collaboration between the local community and an international artist.
Heat
Need for EV infrastructure highlighted at Utility Week Live
A representative from the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) has set out the types of infrastructure required to support the rollout of electric vehicles.
Gas
Meeting net zero target requires urgent electricity system overhaul
The operation of the electricity system must be urgently overhauled if the UK is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, without burdening consumers with unnecessary costs, an industry figure has warned.
Gas
Vattenfall wins first power network contract in UK
Vattenfall Networks, the UK's newest independent electricity network provider, has won its first distribution network contract with Helvellyn Group.
Customers
SSEN customers offered flexible connection option
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will offer flexible connections to all of its customers.
Power
WPD announces results from latest flexibility tender
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has awarded flexibility contracts totalling 21.5MW through its Flexible Power offering following the completion of its latest procurement round.
Gas
ENA report highlights gas networks priorities
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has released a new report that highlights industry priorities for gas network companies with decarbonisation identified as key.
Power
Energy CEOs call for gender balance at senior level
The leaders of eight of the UK's leading energy companies have called for a push to drive up the number of women at senior levels in the energy sector.
Gas
Drone project begins flight trials on energy network assets
A project, exploring how drone technology can be used to inspect network infrastructure, is set to begin conducting trials on both the electricity and gas networks this spring.
Gas
Document reveals Labour plan to nationalise energy networks
Plans to put Britain's energy networks back under state ownership have been revealed in a Labour party document.
Power
UKPN announces flexibility tender results
UK Power Networks has announced the results of a tender to procure flexible energy services.
Heat
ScottishPower pledges to make Glasgow UK’s first ‘net zero’ city
ScottishPower, along with Glasgow City Council, is aiming to transform Glasgow into the UK's first 'net zero' city.
Power
£3m investment to upgrade network in North Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks is carrying out a £3 million upgrade to its electricity network in North Ayrshire.
Customers
WPD using 3D modelling to design substations
Western Power Distribution (WPD) is using the latest 3D modelling technology to revolutionise the design and creation of new substations.
Technology & Operations
NIC challenges government to make infrastructure commitments
The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use this autumn's Spending Review to commit to a once-in-a-generation transformation of the UK's transport, energy and technology networks.