Utility Week

"They don't seem to have grasped the urgency of this and instead of investing in fracking they should be investing in nuclear" Sue Hayman, shadow environment secretary, says the government is complacent on climate change. UTILITY WEEK | 4TH - 10TH OCTOBER 2019 | 5 EDF Energy has said its Hinkley Point C nuclear plant will cost £2.9 billion more than expected and will take longer to complete. A review undertaken over the summer found that the first unit of the project was likely to be 15 months late, while unit two is expected to be delayed by nine months. The total cost of the project is now expected to be up to £22.5 billion. ENERGY Tories pledge on energy efficiency, EVs and fusion A new Future Homes Standard is to be introduced from 2025, aimed at meeting "world-leading energy efficiency standards", the Conservatives have announced. Kicking off its annual conference in Manchester on Sunday, the party unveiled a net zero package that included up to £1 billion for green growth in the automotive industry, including EVs and hydrogen fuel cells. It also pledged £220 million towards the development by 2040 of a prototype fusion plant. The policies announced include the creation of more green spaces throughout the UK, with further funding for "pocket parks" and a commitment to create a Great Northumberland Forest, with up to one million trees to be planted between 2020 and 2024. Interim regulations for the Future Homes Standard are to be introduced from 2020. See Political Agenda, p21 Four days to Congress In four days' time industry leaders, experts and delegates will gather in Birmingham for Utility Week's 2019 Congress on 8-9 October. For a full line-up of speakers and to book tickets, visit: uw-event.co.uk/congress 4 Number of utilities named in top 20 FTSE sustainability league. Source: Ofgem COMPLAINTS TO OFGEM ENERGY Four suppliers rapped over ROs Ofgem has revealed the four sup- pliers who failed to meet the first deadline to pay their Renewables Obligations (RO), leaving them owing a total of £14.7 million. The energy regulator has warned Robin Hood Energy, Toto Energy, Delta Gas & Power and Gnergy that if they don't pay by 31 October it could revoke their licences. Under the RO scheme, suppliers must demonstrate they have sourced enough electricity from renewable sources to meet their obligation by presenting Renewa- bles Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to Ofgem by 1 September – or make up the shortfall by paying into a buy-out fund by 31 August. Ofgem said the four suppliers failed to provide satisfactory assur- ances and it believes they are likely to breach their obligations.

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