RIIO
Power
Ofgem set to turn down £247m of funding requests
Ofgem has proposed to refuse approximately £247 million of funding requests from energy networks.
Power
Keeping power cuts to a minimum
As recent events in South America have proven, power cuts can cause widespread disruption, even if they only last a few hours. Network talked to operators in the UK to find out how they are building a more resilient grid and tackling the issue.
Customers
Citizens Advice urges Ofgem to tackle network debt costs
Citizens Advice has urged Ofgem to take action against two unnamed network companies to enable the regulator to lower the allowances for the cost of debt under the RIIO framework.
Power
Getting regulation right
Flexibility and the DSO business model was the topic of discussion at a recent roundtable hosted by Network and Oracle. With work now well underway on the second set of RIIO price controls, speakers were keen to talk about the impact of regulation on the transformation of networks.
Customers
SSEN calls for greater transparency in energy networks
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has called for greater transparency across the energy networks industry.
Gas
Innovation for the nation
Decarbonisation is changing the energy system rapidly and the way in which energy is produced, supplied and consumed is already very different from only a few years ago. Randolph Brazier, head of innovation at the Energy Networks Association (ENA), looks at some of the key trends in this space.
Power
Utility Week Congress 2018
The premier event for water, gas and electricity sector leaders offering strategic insight at the highest level.
Technology & Operations
UWL report finds utilities have little faith in current regulation
Confidence in Ofgem's RIIO framework is rated at just 5.2 out of 10, according to the Disruption and Regulation Report released in conjunction with Utility Week Live.
Gas
Innovation must become ‘business as usual’ for network companies
Jonathan Brearley, senior partner, networks, Ofgem talks about the need for network companies to use innovation in everyday working practices.
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.
Gas
Keeping the lights on
Network speaks to Sotiris Georgiopoulos, head of smart grid development, UK Power Networks.
Gas
ENA invites feedback on gas innovation strategy
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is inviting industry stakeholders to play a vital role in shaping the future of energy innovation through the launch of its Gas Network Innovation Strategy.
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
Gas networks defend RIIO returns
Double-digit RoRE returns are 'driving cost reductions for customers'
Gas
Energy networks unveil plans for joint innovation strategies
The UK's energy networks have unveiled plans to develop their first ever joint innovation strategies - one each for gas and electricity.
Policy & Regulation
Ofgem connections penalty ‘unjustified’
Ofgem's intention to penalise distribution network operators (DNOs) to the tune of £13.9m for subpar connections services is "unjustified" a senior director at UK Power Networks (UKPN) has said.
Power
DNOs face penalties over subpar connection services
Ofgem has warned distribution network operators (DNO) they are likely to face penalties of around £13.9 million for failing to provide satisfactory connection services.
Gas
Ofgem confirms National Grid spending cut
Ofgem has confirmed a £277.5 million cut to National Grid's gas transmission price control allowance.
Gas
Network underspends sign of RIIO success
The widespread outperformance of networks against their spending allowances under RIIO may be "evidence of the success, not the failure" of the RIIO price control framework.
Power
Consumer groups to gain more power in RIIO2
Ofgem wants consumer groups to take a leading role in the process of setting the next price controls for energy networks, the regulator's senior partner for networks has said.
Gas
Ofgem warns networks to ‘prepare for tougher price controls’
Ofgem has warned energy networks to "prepare for tougher price controls", saying there is "strong evidence" that their investors are willing to accept lower returns.
Power
Networks deny RIIO has failed on innovation
The Energy Networks Association has hit back at claims that the RIIO framework has failed to encourage electricity distribution networks to become truly innovative.
Power
DNOs still able to ‘game the system’ under RIIO
Regional power networks are being allowed to "game the system" under the RIIO framework, a researcher from the University of Exeter has claimed.
Gas
Ofgem accepts £54m rebate from Cadent
Ofgem has accepted an offer from Cadent to waive £53.9 million of RIIO allowances as part of its mid-period reviews for gas and electricity transmission and gas distribution.
Gas
The future of our power system architecture
The latest findings from the government-sponsored Future Power System Architecture programme are out. Tom Grimwood takes a look at them.
Power
ENA reveals roadmap for shift to DSO model
The Energy Networks Association has published a roadmap outlining the key steps in the introduction of the distribution system operator (DSO) model for local power networks.
Policy & Regulation
Next RIIO cycle will be shorter, predicts UKPN boss
"On balance, I would predict that ED2 will be somewhat shorter than ED1," the chief executive of UK Power Networks (UKPN) has said.
Heat
Flexible price controls needed for uncertain future
The RIIO2 price controls must be flexible enough to allow networks to adapt to an uncertain future, speakers at Utility Week Live have argued.
Gas
Stakeholders are the ‘missing part’ of RIIO
Stakeholders are the "missing part" of the RIIO settlement process, according the head of network regulation at British Gas.
Gas
The road to RIIO2
Ofgem should review the detail of the networks' regulatory framework, but not throw the baby out with the bath water, warns Maxine Frerk.
Gas
National Grid profits surge
National Grid Group has announced a substantial rise in profits in the year to the end of March.