Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 26TH OCTOBER - 1ST NOVEMBER 2018 | 5 "While the market is dominated by two-tier 'tease and squeeze' pricing, it's impossible for most companies to compete without either very deep pockets, or charging loyal customers to subsidise loss-leading prices." Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive of Octopus Energy, says rapid increases in wholesale costs have stretched suppliers who have been selling below cost. To celebrate the inaugural Green Great Britain Week, SSE turned the SSE Hydro, the events arena it sponsors, green to mark the nation's march to cleaner energy. More than 75 years on from the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act, SSE continues to operate hydro power stations across Scotland and develops and operates onshore and offshore windfarms across the UK. ENERGY Hackney to launch energy supplier Hackney Council has announced plans to launch its own renewable- focused energy company. The council said it would go "beyond" the pioneering work of other municipal companies such as Robin Hood Energy, to "ensure financial risk was limited". It will also prioritise the supply and generation of renewable energy. An estimated 9,700 households in Hackney suffer from fuel poverty. The council said it was in a strong position to make "strategic decisions" to assist vulnerable residents. Initial plans were approved this month, developing on the council's manifesto commitment to create a municipal energy company. Further information on the plans for a council-run energy company will be released soon, and the council hopes customers will be able to register their interest in the company in 2019. Nottingham Council was the first to launch its own company – Robin Hood Energy – in 2015. See local supplier analysis, p12 ENERGY New taskforce to 'unlock' value of energy data Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry has launched a task- force charged with unlocking the value of energy data to drive innova- tion and lower bills for consumers. The Energy Data Taskforce will be run by the Energy Systems Cata- pult and chaired by former MP and chief executive of Challenging Ideas Laura Sandys. Perry said: "In an age where data is transforming every area of our lives, it's only appropriate that we take a long hard look at what data means for energy customers, and how it can be used more effectively to lower energy bills." The body has been created by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Ofgem and Innovate UK to provide advice to the government, the regulator and industry. 3 million As many as three million electric vehicle (EV) charge points may need to be installed at industrial and commer- cial sites across Great Britain by 2040, according to analysis by Aurora Energy Research, which found the mass rollout of EVs could unlock an investment opportunity worth up to £6 billion. £150 million Bioenergy Infrastructure Group has raised £150 million from its shareholders to fund its planned investments in biomass and energy-from-waste plants.

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