Utility Week

4 | 3RD - 9TH APRIL 2020 | UTILITY WEEK Seven days... Power demand falls by a tenth in lockdown Electricity demand in Britain dropped by a tenth last week aer the government imposed a lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. As businesses closed, the decline in average daytime demand also led to a fall in wholesale elec- tricity prices as renewables such as wind and solar – which produce electricity very cheaply once built – now provide a greater proportion of the generation mix at the expense of gas plants. GB day-ahead electricity prices fell 10 per cent last week compared with the prior week and were down 30 per cent year on year, according to S&P Global Platts. FT Weekend Inspired Energy delays reporting results Kirkham-based Inspired Energy has announced a delay in publishing its latest annual results, which were due on 31 March, following requests from the Financial Conduct Authority. The firm said it still expected to come good on existing guidance that revenues for the year ended 31 December would be around £50 million, up 50 per cent on the previous year. Lancashire Post EDF redeploys staff to help in virus fight Energy giant EDF redeployed 700 of its smart meter engineers last week to help customers with prepayment meters or emergencies. "Hundreds of them have volun- teered to go further, providing food and medicine deliveries to those in need," the French state-owned com- pany said in a note to customers. Across the energy industry, rou- tine but previously key plans such as installing smart meters are being shelved as it gears up to help the country's fight against coronavirus. Sunday Telegraph Press round-up Ofgem in talks with industry over 'deprioritising' O fgem has been in discus- sions with energy net- works and retailers over how the industry can respond to the coronavirus pandemic most effectively. Specifically, the regulator's chief executive, Jonathan Brear- ley, said discussions centred on what activities they may need to deprioritise in order to do this, and how this might impact on their ability to comply with their various regulatory obligations. However, one industry source said Ofgem had been "late to the party" in issuing advice to suppliers compared with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). "It seems to me that they have accepted that things are now different, they did not ini- tially. Initially the communica- tions a couple of weeks ago said we were expected to meet all obligations," the source said. They added that the fact Ofgem has not yet said it disa- grees with suppliers taking it upon themselves to halt install- ing smart meters (see news, p25) is a sign the regulator acknowl- edges a change in situation. Writing in a blog post, Brear- ley said call centres across the sector were under strain follow- ing a significant increase in the volume of calls. He said: "Call centre capac- ity has been reduced as they migrate to remote working and staffing levels are down because of coronavirus, leading to long call waiting times for customers. "I would urge customers not to call their energy supplier or network company unless they are in a vulnerable situation or it's a safety or emergency issue. This will ensure that those trying to get through who are most in need get help more quickly." One industry chief, who did not wish to be named, con- firmed companies were taking measures to alleviate the influx of calls. "Some companies are struggling to deliver business as usual," they said. AJ "I think the political leadership have got to get a grip on it, I think they have not given it the scrutiny they should have done" Andrew Rule, Conservative Nottingham City councillor fires warning shot over Robin Hood Energy £23m loss. STORY BY NUMBERS Union polls energy workers on resilience Survey by Prospect finds concerns over Covid-19 contin- gency measures. 1,000 Number of responses from energy sector membership 48% Less than half confident in resilience meas- ures being put in place. 46% Percentage who felt adequate steps were being taken to reduce physical contact in workplace. 41% Said there was no shortage of personal protec- tion equipment, although 14 per cent said there was, with 45 per cent unsure. (see Customers news, p25)

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