UTILITY WEEK | JUNE 2022 |
5
KNOWLEDGE WORTH KEEPING
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Risky business
This month sees the launch of a major new report from Utility Week, in which
we explore the key risks facing the sector in an uncertain world.
An introduction to the key ndings of that report is featured on p12-15,
including an excerpt on the key risk factor that emerged from the survey of
sector leaders – the threat of a serious cybersecurity breach. Given current
geopolitical tensions, the move to open data and the increasingly interconnected
digital ecosystem within utilities, it is to be expected that cybersecurity is at the
top of company agendas.
In a year when storms caused havoc to electricity infrastructure and spikes
in wholesale power prices have led to an a ordability crunch, sector leaders are
also clear that adaptation to extreme conditions and the ability to weather price
storms are key objectives.
However, while utilities can respond to these risks through innovation and
agility in their business models, they must operate with frameworks set by
government and regulators. So it is no surprise that policy and regulation not
adapting quick enough is another of the top risks identi ed.
Many of these concerns are re„ ected more widely in our coverage this month,
which on p18-19 discusses the plans for an Energy Security Bill, announced
in the Queen's Speech. This is described by Labour MP Alan Whitehead as a
"Christmas tree bill", which will inevitably result in a ra" of MPs trying to hang
their particular policy baubles on its branches. Our Energy Reset campaign will
be presenting plenty of our own requests for the legislation and as part of the
campaign, Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson sets out on p29 why
he is backing a social tari as one solution to the cost of living crisis.
A key risk in terms of public perception of utilities is highlighted on p16-17
in our analysis on the use of Combined Sewer Over„ ows. This is emerging as a
lively area of public debate, but on these pages three water companies set out
their belief that this is a societal issue, not one the sector can tackle alone.
Cybersecurity, adaptation to climate change and building trust with the
public were all areas of discussion at Utility Week Live, which returned to the
stage in May with our biggest and busiest show ever. You can see a summary on
p22-24, including arguments for dispensing with the terms vulnerability, digitali-
zation and innovation altogether.
James Wallin, editor, jameswallin@fav-house.com
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Editor
James Wallin,
e: jameswallin@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332015
Head of content
Nadine Buddoo,
e: nadinebuddoo@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332054
Features editor
Lucinda Dann,
e: lucindadann@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332083
News editor
Tom Grimwood,
e: tomgrimwood@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332061
Innovate editor
Stuart Stone,
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t: 01342 332001
Senior reporter
Adam John
e: adamjohn@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332069
Water correspondent
Ruth Williams,
e: ruthwilliams@fav-house.com;
t: 01342 332069
Policy correspondent
David Blackman,
e: davidblackman@fav-house.com
Idox
Next-day switching piles pressure
on utility address management
https://bit.ly/3uXGKJy
Evides
Water – A Key Consideration in
Achieving Net Zero 2050
https://bit.ly/34H9Geo
Letter from the Editor
James Wallin
Neos Networks
The Digital Future of Renewables
report
https://bit.ly/3ie2vx5
