Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | APRIL 2021 | 3 Contents The Review 6 Impact Analysis 8 Cost of capital in the spotlight; National Grid to buy WPD and sell gas assets; Ofgem asks suppliers to return credit balances Countdown to COP 10 We continue our campaign to champion the role of utilities on the road to net zero; Lawrence Slade, ENA GIIA; Investors give their view UtilityWeek APRIL 2021 APRIL 2021 UTILITYWEEK.CO.UK COUNTDOWN TO COP The investor view of fighting climate change ENERGY Networks and Ofgem set for CMA showdown over RIIO2 POLICY Should the Green Homes Grant be amended or abandoned? Follow the money CMA tightens cost of capital but WPD still commands a premium TRANSFORM WITH CONFIDENCE Publishing director, Utilities: Ellen Bennett, t: 01342 332084, e: ellenbennett@fav-house.com; Production editor: Paul Newton, t: 01342 332085, e: paulnewton@ fav-house.com; Business development: Sarah Wood, e: sarahwood@fav-house.com. t: 01342 332117 Business development manager: Helen Smith, e: helensmith@fav-house.com. t: 01342 332109 m: 07733265050 Client success manager: Liz Izard, e: lizizard@fav-house. com. t: 01342 332009 General enquiries: 01342 332000; Membership enquiries: Peter Bissell, t: 01342 332057, e: peterbissell@fav-house.com. Utility Week is published by Faversham House Ltd (registered in England & Wales no. 692570), Windsor Court, Wood Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UZ. Telephone: 01342 332000 Email: utilityweek@fav-house.com Copyright 2020 Faversham House Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in Utility Week. However, Faversham House Ltd is not liable for any inaccuracies. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Any personal data is processed in accordance with the publisher's Privacy Policy at www.favershamhouse.com/privacy. The text and cover paper are manufactured from certifi ed sustainable sources and produced with reduced environmental impacts via a recognised and independently audited management scheme. Any polywrap is kerbside recyclable. © 2020 Faversham House Ltd. ISSN 1356-5532. Utility Week is registered as a newspaper at the Post Offi ce. Printed by Buxton Press Ltd 2,500 Average circulation Jan–Dec 2018 Membership subscriptions: UK £950+VAT per year. Contact Jo Nikiforov on: 01342 332077 Utility Week is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the regulator of the UK's magazine and newspaper industry. We abide by the Editors' Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact the Editor. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you want more information about IPSO or the Editors' Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk. page 27 page 36 21 28 Customers Talking points 21 Citizens Advice comment; smart meters; the news in numbers Analysis 22 How best to market a commodity Event 24 Utility Week's Customer Summit Comment 26 David Watson, Heat Trust Comment 27 Laura Sandys, Challenging Ideas Operational Excellence Analysis 28 Battery trial confi rms big savings are there to be made Expert view 29 Vision Consulting Event 31 Launching UWL Summit Analysis 32 Partnerships and technology will deliver net zero Case study 34 AI applied to leakage Analysis 35 Portsmouth Water's bulk supply deal with Southern Analysis 36 Maintain the innovative spirit fostered by the pandemic Events calendar 37 page 15 14 Policy & Regulation Talking points 14 David Blackman comment, the news in numbers Analysis 15 Networks and Ofgem set for CMA showdown Analysis 18 Should the GHG be amended or abandoned? Interview 20 Ronan Larkin, Northern Ireland Water page 10

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