Utility Week - authoritative, impartial and essential reading for senior people within utilities, regulators and government
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GAS 15 | Political Agenda 25 | I am the customer Richard Hill WATER 6 | Chief executive view Dr Jerry Bryan, Albion Water 8 | Interview Peter Peacock, Customer Forum 20 | Market view Ofwat's retail framework 23 | Pipe up The importance of information 24 | Market view Partnering in AMP6 ELECTRICITY 21 | News Funds for White Rose feasibility study 22 | High viz Tackling storm damage 26 | Analysis Smartest Energy on competing with the big six 26 | Analysis Lossleading tariffs Energy 7 | Expert view Trevor Loveday 15 | News Osborne misses energy-efficiency 'open goal' 15 | News Suppliers to limit SME back-billing 25 | Market view Supplier support for independent energy consultants This week Leader Ellen Bennett 4 | Seven days 6 | Opinion Dr Jerry Bryan, chief executive, Albion Water 8 | Interview Peter Peacock, chair, Customer Forum A tough year ends on a high note 13 There will be many readers glad to bid goodbye to 2013. It's fair to say it has been a challenging year for the utilities industry, particularly energy, as we reflect on p12-14. But it's not all been bad. The Utility Week Achievement Awards this week celebrated some of the individuals and teams who have kept the lights on and the taps running, and a big well done to all our finalists and winners, and thank you to our sponsors, judges and everyone who was there on the night. A particular well done to Northumbrian Water, which swept the board with an impressive four awards, including Utility of the Year, setting the standard for other water companies to follow. Congratulations also to our industry champion Basil Scarsella of UKPN. There are other reasons to celebrate this festive season, too – and here are just a few of them: 1. No-one in the industry would have wished for energy bills to become a political football – but there is now the opportunity for a sensible debate about the energy trilemma of affordability, security and sustainability in the run-up to the 2015 election; 2. The water companies have stepped up to the challenge of PR14 and submitted their business plans on time and with more customer consultation than ever before; 3. RIIO too has been introduced with relatively little pain and WPD is set to forge the way on the fast track, with the networks between them pledging to save billions of pounds through innovation; 4. There were moments when it looked impossible, but EDF and the government finally struck a deal and the UK's first new nuclear power station in a generation is set to go ahead at Hinkley Point C; 5. The Energy Bill was set to be signed off as Utility Week went to press. It may not be perfect, but it creates at last the environment to bring forward much-needed investment in new generation in 2014. There's an exciting 12 months ahead for all of us. In the meantime, enjoy the festive season and stay up to date with all the news at utilityweek.co.uk. We'll be back in print on January 10. Ellen Bennett, Editor ellen.bennett@fav-house.com Policy & Regulation 13 | News Osborne blasted for 'missing open goal' 13 | Politics Mathew Beech writes 14 | Analysis Senior Executive Panel on how to bring down energy bills 20 | Market view Ofwat's proposed retail framework 21 Finance & Investment 21 | News White Rose CCS gets Decc funds 22 Operations & Assets 22 | High viz Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution tackles storm damage 23 | Pipe up Sahadev Singh 24 | Market view Close partnering is the key to delivering more for less in 2015-20 25 Customers 25 | Market view How can energy suppliers help independent consultants? 26 Markets & Trading The 6th National Utility Week Consumer Debt Conference is a must attend for all utility companies and telecoms operators who want to their collection procedures and reduce consumer debt. At this one day event you will: get the latest updates on the Retail Market Review; find out how smart meters will improve prepay services; understand how to assess the latest technology to enable customers to manage their bills; learn how to identify vulnerable customers; explore new methods to develop an efficient payment extension; understand how investing in customer segmentation can improve collection and minimise bad debt. 26 March, Holiday Inn, Birmingham city centre Website: www.uw-debt.net 26 | Analysis Smartest Energy competes with the big boys 26 | Analysis The impact of loss-leading tariffs 30 Community 30 | Subscriber focus Desmond Brown, South East Water 31 | Disconnector UTILITY WEEK | 13th - 19th December 2013 | 3