Utility Week

14 | SEPTEMBER 2022 | UTILITY WEEK Energy Analysis Our mission to tackle the energy trilemma Utility Week is launching a new content series exploring the role of utilities in resolving the tensions between resilience, sustainability and affordability. Find out what is planned and how the series will culminate in our brand new flagship event, the Utility Week Forum. T he so-called energy trilemma – the conflicts between accelerating decar- bonisation and ensuring security of supply and affordability – has been a source of near constant debate within the utilities sector for more than a decade. While the term may have fallen out of favour, the question of how we pay for net zero and transition safely to a renewable grid have remained resolutely on the agenda. In 2022, the trilemma has renewed impor- tance – and is equally as relevant in water – with the added awareness that achieving these three aims should not exacerbate or create social inequality. The cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine and the very evident impacts of cli- mate change have all focused minds on the need to crack this conundrum. Utilities cannot tackle the trilemma by themselves – clear policy directions, inform- ing agile and effective regulatory frameworks, are essential to support these goals. Recent policy announcements such as the Energy Bill and the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements have been welcome additions to the debate but the current paralysis in gov- ernment will inevitably set back progress. In this vacuum there is a golden opportu- nity for the utilities sector to come together to create a shared vision for tackling the tri- lemma that can help inform new ministers and secretaries of state and underline the urgent need for action. This is the aim of our new flagship con- ference, the Utility Week Forum, which will take place in London on 8-9 November. It will feature sector leaders, regulators, poli- cymakers and academics giving their view on what the trilemma means in 2022, the progress we have made and the barriers that remain. In the run-up to the event, Utility Week will run a series of pieces discussing key themes that will be picked up in the confer- ence. These will include focuses on whole- sale energy market reform, safeguarding the water supply, the practicalities of a national social tariff, and the energy/water nexus on the road to net zero. You can keep up to date with the content at https:// utilityweek.co.uk/tag/tackling- the-trilemma/ and if you would like to contribute to the debate please contact jameswallin@fav-house.com The content Among the themes we will be discussing over the coming weeks on utilityweek.co.uk are: Mitigating fuel poverty this winter Outside of the arguments around strengthened support packages for struggling billpayers this winter, how are the utilities sector, govern- ment and other bodies ensuing that energy advice is getting to those who need it most? Is a national education campaign needed? And can this be pulled together in time for winter? The inconvenient truth: The role of coal in securing supply While a year ago it would have been controversial, to say the least, for the government to be actively encouraging coal plant operators to extend the life of their assets, even the Climate Change Committee is "relaxed" about the direction of travel. Protecting customers vs satisfying shareholders – the dividend debate With Ofwat clamping down on dividends and public outcry at payouts made to shareholders of energy companies, can utilities actually justify profits anymore?

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