Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 31ST AUGUST - 6TH SEPTEMBER 2018 | 3 This week 4 | Seven days 6 | News What can the industry learn from the collapse of Iresa? 8 | Interview Will Gardiner, chief executive, Drax Group 12 Policy & Regulation 12 | News Prosecutions follow Hinkley Point B incident 13 | Analysis More firms are planning to provide their own water retail services 14 | Market view Improving performance is essential for water companies 15 Finance & Investment 15 | News Scottish Power plans second price hike for 2018 16 Operations & Assets 16 | High viz Scottish Water's Shieldhall Tunnel in Glasgow 18 | Analysis What next for wave and tidal? 21 | Chief executive's view Richard Symons, Western Power Distribution 22 | Pipe up Why large business fleets should switch to electric vehicles 23 Customers 23 | News Thames surveys 1m customers for PR19 24 | Event Four new categories for this year's Utility Week Awards 26 | Awards case study Welsh Water's 'For Wales. Not for Profit' campaign 28 | Event Helping vulnerable customers 30 Community 31 | Disconnector GAS 15 | News River diversion almost complete WATER 13 | Analysis Meet the self-suppliers 14 | Market view Weather tests the water companies 15 | News Affinity to remove offshore subsidiary 16 | High viz Glasgow's 'extraordinary' sewer 26 | Awards case study Welsh Water's winning campaign ELECTRICITY 6 | Interview Will Gardiner, Drax Group 12 | News Nuclear plans for a 'no- deal' Brexit 18 | Analysis Marine renewables all at sea 21 | Chief executive's view Richard Symons, Western Power Distribution 22 | Pipe up Fleets could boost EVs ENERGY 6 | News Six lessons from Iresa's collapse 12 | News Collective switching proves popular 12 | News BEIS to transfer EU energy laws 15 | News Green tariffs are among cheapest The art of communication T hey've been given the green light to boldly go where no Ofgem spokesperson has gone before. So just what might we expect to hear from a newly-bolstered regulator in the months ahead – and what could it all mean for the sector? We've now learnt how Ofgem's governing body, the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, has called on the regulator to be "more transparent" about its compliance and enforcement work and to take a "bolder approach to its communications" about the energy retail market. And it's not hard to see why. It's been a particularly bruising period for the regulator, presiding over a rocky time for the industry. Several small suppliers have gone to the wall, politicians are still labelling the market "broken", and consumer confidence appears to be at an all-time low. Competition may well have arrived, but a flurry of price hikes has failed to deliver the better deals promised. Meanwhile, a temporary government price cap looms, along with any ensuing fallout. Consultations, notices, market-monitoring reports, and even enforcement actions – while all useful instruments to have in the toolbox – are fairly one-dimensional in terms of a communications strategy. Certainly, the comms coming out from its noisier neighbour Ofwat, led by the unapologetically strident Jonson Cox, have a far more robust tone. It's likely no-one is more frustrated at this than Ofgem itself. While its chief executive, Dermot Nolan, is renowned for forcefully speaking his mind in person, his messages are not always reflected in Ofgem's more formal announcements. The latest instruction from on high could therefore be music to the ears of an embattled regulator that has tended to adopt a critical but impartial stance. Just like the energy market, the regulatory mood music has also moved on. Ofgem, it seems, must now not only regulate but be seen to regulate, while also sharing its vision for the future direction of the sector more strongly. It's an approach its new chair, Martin Cave, looks bound to embrace when he takes up the reins shortly. The so-called architect of the price cap is no stranger to sticking his head above the parapet. And he will have strong messages to share – having already pledged to do things his way and without political interference. The industry will be eager to hear them. Suzanne Heneghan, acting editor, suzanneheneghan@fav-house.com Leader Suzanne Heneghan Knowledge worth keeping Subscribers to Utility Week can access premium content and exclusive research, available to read online or as downloadable documents. http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/

• Cover