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4 | 5TH - 11TH FEBRUARY 2016 | UTILITY WEEK National media British public backs fracking over gas imports The British public would rather frack for gas in the UK than import it from overseas, accord- ing to a survey by an alliance of trade bodies. 75% of Britain's gas needs predicted to come from imports by 2030. 55% Proportion of the public who think UK-produced gas, including from fracking, should be prioritised over imports. 56% are concerned about power sup- plies next winter. 2/3 believe gas has a role to play in moving to a low- carbon economy. Germany ahead on wind power The wind industry in Germany has overtaken the UK in the rate it is installing offshore wind turbines, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). Germany was responsible for the majority of the 3,000MW of offshore wind power that was connected to the European grid last year, double the amount in 2014. 2 February, Guardian Morocco makes 35 per cent of Africa's energy The North African nation's renew- able efforts put it on track to reach its goal of 42 per cent within the next few years, according to govern- ment officials. The general manager of the national power utility, ONEE, said that with projects currently under construction in wind, solar and hydro, Morocco could achieve a 43 per cent renewable share by 2020. This could put the country ahead of many regional neighbours and European countries by 2030. 31 January, Forbes Big businesses get funded LED light bulbs Large businesses in Britain have been awarded funding to install LED light bulbs as part of a £5 million government scheme to reduce the blackout risk. Sainsbury's, Dixons and Travis Perkins are among those that have received the funding. Sainsbury's is reported to have had an £830,000 sum. Ministers implemented the scheme to try to show that it would reduce strain on the UK power grid during peak times. A spokesman said that taxpayer cash made up "a small part" of its wider LED installa- tion programme. 1 February, Daily Telegraph STORY BY NUMBERS Wocs set to play in retail market Seven days... M ost English water-only companies (Wocs) have confirmed they will stay in the non-household retail market when it opens, aer Portsmouth Water announced last week that it would exit. In a straw poll conducted by Utility Week, five Wocs – Affinity Water, Bristol Water, Essex & Suffolk Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water and Cholderton & District Water – said they would remain in the market, while South East Water and Cambridge/South Staffordshire Water refused to comment. Bournemouth Water said it was unsure of its intentions. Following its acquisition by South West Water last year, it is set to merge into the larger company in April, and plans in respect of market opening will be announced "in due course". Cholderton & District said it "intends to continue providing water to our existing customers for as long as they wish to retain us as their retail supplier". Essex & Suffolk Water is part of Northumbrian Water Group, and it said it would be "play- ing a full part" in the market for non-domestic customers. And Bristol Water said it would operate as a retailer with water and sewerage company Wessex Water, called Water2Business. The business market is due to open in April 2017, allowing 1.2 million non-household cus- tomers to choose their supplier. It will link with the existing market in Scotland, which opened to business customers in April 2008. The government introduced retail exit to the Water Act 2014 at the eleventh hour, following sustained lobbying by peers, regulators and industry, who said a properly competitive market must allow companies to leave if they wished. Portsmouth Water last month became the first water company to say it would withdraw, hand- ing its retail activities to Scottish supplier Castle Water. LV "There's no reason this couldn't snowball and we end up with even more [diesel generation] being contracted next year" Sandbag's Dave Jones issues a warning to government. Analysis, p11