Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 18TH - 24TH JANUARY 2019 | 7 New Deal for Utilities A UtilityWeek c ampaign U tilities are at a crossroads. They find themselves in uncharted territory with 2019 and beyond poised to be real game-changers for the entire sector. Challenges are building. Trust, they hear from some quar- ters, is running at an all-time low, not helped by negative public perception around high levels of executive pay. The spectre of rena- tionalisation has well and truly reared its head and widespread political uncertainty continues to wreak havoc with planning in utility boardrooms across the country. And while energy and water companies have been transforming how they operate and serve their customers, the rapid pace of change has made business as usual – let alone planning for the future – increasingly difficult for an industry in transition. Against this developing picture, Utility Week has listened to those business leaders and experts in our sector who are keen for change. This change could help utility firms embrace the fairness agenda to forge greater trust with consumers. It could see govern- ment provide increased support to utility firms to help them deliver more in the face of huge challenges. And it could ultimately enable utilities to build a new rapproche- ment with the public. So today we are launching a campaign, which we are calling a New Deal for Utilities. It will engender debate between industry, policymakers and those representing con- sumers in a bid to move forward to strike this two-way bargain. Our multimedia coverage will make the case for utilities and the impor- tant role they play in society for the public good. Yet it will also highlight what needs to be done in terms of fairness, public trust and engagement. Over the next few weeks we will run a series of stories, features, analytical insight, interviews, col- umns and in-depth premium content featur- ing news and views from across the sector. We will be hearing from energy retailers and generators, networks and water com- panies, about their key concerns and the support they need. We will also be seeking opinions from consumer organisations and lobby groups. Our aim is to foster collaborative involve- ment from industry players, policymakers, regulators, investors, stakeholders and con- sumer groups to help draw up a list of action points for the future. This will reflect how the industry can meet the challenges ahead, while offering clear pledges that will help it move towards achieving a new, fair social contract with the public that is truly fit for the future. We start in this issue with the findings of our exclusive survey about what the pub- lic really thinks about utilities – including about renationalisation. It's a survey that those leading our UK water and energy com- panies will want to read. l JOIN THE DEBATE Follow our campaign online at www. utilityweek.co.uk, on our Twitter @Utility Week and on LinkedIn, #NewDealForUtili- ties. To share your thoughts or for more details contact suzanneheneghan@fav-house.com SUZANNE HENEGHAN, ACTING EDITOR It's time for change This year utilities face huge challenges, so forging a new understanding with the public and policymakers is critical. Today we launch our New Deal For Utilities campaign to expose the key issues, debate the big questions and suggest some potential new ways ahead. "The spirit of public service runs to the core of Britain's energy networks and the people who work for them. As our energy system goes through a period of almost unprecedented transformation and the interac- tions between networks and the public change, we need to ensure now more than ever that people are aware of the vital role that energy networks play in their lives." David Smith, chief executive, ENA "The energy sector is experiencing a rapid transformation … and it is important that as we go through this transition we ensure the market is working for all customers, includ- ing those in the most need, and our independently chaired Commission for Customers in Vulnerable Cir- cumstance will be reporting shortly. In the meantime, innovation, invest- ment and competition have been driving benefits for customers and the sector has been actively taking steps to not just meet, but exceed, customer expectations." Lawrence Slade, chief executive, Energy UK "Annual customer satisfaction surveys and our own polling on trust in water companies regularly return figures in the high 80s … It's interesting to see the Utility Week findings chime with our own research, which shows that taking essential utilities such as water into government ownership is nowhere near as popular as some political commentators suggest." Michael Roberts, chief executive, Water UK Turn to our survey, overleaf Sector reaction ☛

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