Utility Week

4 | 13TH - 19TH MARCH 2020 | UTILITY WEEK Seven days... Carbon emissions fall with switch from coal Carbon emissions from the global electricity system fell by 2 per cent last year, the biggest drop in almost 30 years, as countries began to turn their backs on coal power plants. A new report on the world's electricity generation by climate thinktank Ember, formerly Sandbag, revealed the steepest cut in carbon emissions since 1990. Overall, power from coal plants fell by 3 per cent last year, even as China's reliance on coal plants rose and made up half the world's coal generation for the first time. The Guardian Scotland must not squander renewables Scotland should learn from the UK's past failures to capitalise on the country's oil revenues and aim to set up a wind fund by investing in publicly owned renewable projects, it has been claimed. The call comes from industry experts, campaigners and academ- ics, who are highlighting the need for urgent investments to stop Scotland being le… behind. Scotland is estimated to have 60 per cent of the UK's onshore wind capacity, and 25 per cent of Europe's offshore wind and tidal resources, but nearly half of its off- shore wind installations are in pub- lic ownership by state-controlled companies from other countries. The Scotsman UK companies to invest £12bn in switch to EVs British companies are expected to spend more than £12 billion switching their fossil fuel vehicles for clean electric versions over the next two years. A survey found that nearly half of UK businesses are planning to invest in chargeable cars and vans in advance of the government's ban on sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The Observer Press roundup Brearley planning a review of the structure of Ofgem Ofgem's new chief executive Jonathan Brearley is planning a restructure of the regulator, Utility Week understands. Brearley succeeded Dermot Nolan last month and is under- stood to be looking at the best structure to deliver his plans. An Ofgem spokesperson told UW: "We are currently review- ing the organisational structure of Ofgem to ensure that we are set up to protect consumers as effectively as possible." Details of the reshuffle have not been revealed, but it is thought Brearley will aim for a new structure designed to deliver Ofgem's decarbonisation plan – nine actions it intends to take over the next year and a half to support decarbonisation. Sources close to Ofgem suggested the restructure will be broad ranging and focused on creating a much flatter organisation. They added it will significantly impact the briefs of a range of Ofgem directors and take a new look at how various different regulatory workstreams are "packaged". One source says this may involve a wider scope for the office of chief economist, Joe Perkins. There is speculation this could include a wider remit covering strategy and decarbonisation. Brearley's former role of exec- utive director for systems and networks could be one of those overhauled. Cathryn Scott has been filling the position on an interim basis since November. Among those tipped for more responsibility following the reshuffle include executive direc- tor of consumers and markets, Mary Starks. The regulator is also set to unveil a new addition to its board. Speaking at Utility Week's Investor Summit on 5 March, chairman Martin Cave said an expert on data would join the board "in the next few days". AJ "It is neither coherent, nor showing leadership, for our fourth and fifth carbon budgets to be based on an outdated objective that this House has rejected" Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chair of the BEIS committee, used the department's question time last week to call for upcoming carbon budgets to be brought into line with more ambitious targets. STORY BY NUMBERS Offshore wind plans drive for apprentices The Offshore Wind Industry Council has revealed plans to recruit new apprentices to the sector. 3,000 Number of new apprentices the Council plans to recruit, along with creating a more diverse workforce. 12% Percentage of workforce it aims to be made up of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups by 2030. 5% Current percentage across the energy sector overall. 30GW Target for offshore wind capacity by 2030; an ambition since raised to 40GW. Brearley: took over as Ofgem CEO last month

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