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UTILITY WEEK | 13TH -19TH JANUARY 2017 | 3 Leader Ellen Bennett This week 4 | Seven days 6 | People & Opinion 8 | Preview of 2017 Utility Week looks at what the year ahead holds for utilities 12 | Utility Week Live 2017 A first glimpse at the programme for the year's premier utility exhibition and conference 15 Policy & Regulation 15 | News Benefit reforms risk shortfall in capacity 16 | Analysis Ofwat rejects Anglian Water's plea for more revenue 17 | Market view Brexit gives the UK a chance to reset its renewables targets 19 Finance & Investment 19 | News Eon urged to hive off distribution assets 20 | Market view 2016 was a good year for M&A 22 Operations & Assets 22 | High viz 25 years of Delabole Wind Farm 25 | Market view Severn Trent's ambitious targets for renewable generation 26 | Market view Many European countries are dabbling in DSR when they should be embracing it 27 Customers 27 | News Thames under fire for service failures 28 | Market view A shift in service culture 28 | Market view GB Energy's demise puts insolvency under the spotlight 30 Community 31 | Disconnector Good luck in 2017… Friday 13th: unlucky for some. But here's hoping the fickle fates will be on the side of utilities this year, because without the odd stroke of good fortune, there's no way the industry's going to escape 2017 with reputations, relationships and finances all intact. Here are eight things to keep fingers and toes crossed for in the months ahead. 1. As the political fallout from the Brexit vote and wider global political shis continue, all eyes are on the economy. Inflation is predicted to rise this year, and CFOs that have been sitting comfort- ably might suddenly find their jobs that bit more tricky. Meanwhile, belt-tightening among the public could return energy bills to the top of the political agenda – and this time, water companies might not escape the scrutiny. 2. Talking of Brexit, the negotiations on how we leave the EU have huge consequences for utilities, from the environmental legislation that governs so much of the water industry to the European electri- city market to which we are so closely connected. 3. 2017 is a critical year if the UK is to have a chance of meeting the 2020 deadline for blanket smart meter coverage, despite the numer- ous delays to the start of the rollout. But has anyone asked the customers? Here's hoping they'll open the door to the smart meter installers – when they finally arrive. 4. There's nothing as high profile as diggers in the ground. With two once-in-a-generation utility infrastructure projects due to start on site this year, Hinkley Point C and the Thames Tideway Tunnel, major delays or setbacks would be embarrassing, to say the least. 5. The capacity market has had a difficult birth. The first capacity procured through the auction is due to come online later this year, and is critical in light of the growing capacity crunch. Fingers crossed for no more broken contracts. 6. Companies have restructured, central systems are in place, letters of assurance have been penned – but is the non-domestic water market ready to open at the beginning of April? Because if the mar- ket falls over on Day One and ministers and customers want to know why, water companies could find the April Fools' joke is on them. 7. Will someone finally listen to sense on storage? Mixed signals came out of Ofgem in 2016, and networks will be hoping for some clarity aer the smart systems consultation closes later this month. 8. And finally, as ever, we'll be keeping a weather eye on the fore- casts. With a cold snap predicted to start this week, will the climate be kind this year? Happy new year: it's good to be back. Ellen Bennett, Editor, ellenbennett@fav-house.com GAS 20 | Market view 2016 was a good year for M&A WATER 16 | Analysis Ofwat rejects Anglian Water's plea for more revenue 25 | Market view Severn Trent's ambitious targets for renewable generation 27 | News Thames under fire for service failures 28 | Market view A shift in service culture ELECTRICITY 15 | News Benefit reforms risk shortfall in capacity 17 | Market view Brexit gives the UK a chance to reset its renewables targets 22 | High viz 25 years of Delabole Wind Farm 26 | Market view Many European countries are dabbling in DSR when they should be embracing it ENERGY 19 | News Eon urged to hive off distribution assets 27 | News Suppliers failing on bill transparency 28 | Market view GB Energy's demise puts insolvency under the spotlight Visit the Downloads section of the website WNS: The UK Smart Meter Rollout http://bit.ly/2espIJ3 ESRI: How location information is improving stakeholder engagement http://bit.ly/2fEwLP9 Certas: Balancing capacity market concerns: setting the record straight on fuel http://bit.ly/2essYnG