Utility Week - authoritative, impartial and essential reading for senior people within utilities, regulators and government
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People & Opinion Utility Week community UTILITY WEEK | 7TH - 13TH APRIL 2017 | 7 "Competition in the water market means opportunity for everyone." Giuseppe Di Vita, managing director, SES Business Water Paul Massara, former chief executive, Npower, writes: Fixing the SVT problem "Despite a lengthy CMA investigation, which the industry, government and the regulator all hoped would lay to rest the public's concern over the energy supply market, the market finds itself back in the headlines and firmly on the political agenda." To read the full blog, visit: http://bit.ly/2nsIJTf Catherine Mitchell, professor of energy policy, Exeter University, writes: Institutional governance reform – the essential ingredient "GB currently has an energy governance framework (meaning policies, institutions, rules and incentives of markets and networks) which is not fit for the purpose of transforming the current centralised, carbonised energy system into a decarbonised, flexible and secure energy system able to meet our greenhouse gas reductions by 2050." To read the full blog, visit: http://bit.ly/2oslIkG Brendan Flattery, chief executive, Utilitywise, writes: Water market opening: are we heading for inertia? "Is the market really set up to give businesses a better deal, or are we heading for inertia? The regulator has some questions to answer. They must start now in reviewing their policy, so changes can be made for the next formula review or before. The allocation of costs between wholesale and retail MUST be independently assessed to ensure true cost-reflective pricing and give value back to the customer in lower prices. If not, the smaller customer will be the last to benefit and yet is the most in need." To read the full blog, visit: http://bit.ly/2ossqqZ From the blog Business Stream Business Stream has announced that Jim Spowart, who created and led several of the UK's first chal- lenger banks, will join the company as a non-executive director. Spowart was founder and chief executive of Direct Line Financial Services, Standard Life Bank and Intelligent Finance, and brings a wealth of relevant experience to Business Stream, as it competes in the newly opened £2.5 billion English water retail market. Committee on Climate Change The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has appointed Dr Rebecca Heaton to the Committee to strengthen its expertise in business affairs. Heaton's role on the CCC also includes duties with regards to the interests of Wales and Northern Ireland. She has been appointed for a five-year term and replaces Professor Samuel Fankhauser, who stepped down in December 2016 after nine years of service. Heaton is head of sustainability and policy at Drax Group and has responsibility for the sustain- ability of the global forest supply chains used to deliver sustainable biomass to its power station. She is also responsible for research and policy work. EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS "In any market, the benefit of competition should always be that customers get the best product, value and service." Helen Gillett, managing director, Affinity for Business "This is the most important change to the water industry since privatisation and we have dedicated significant resources to making sure we're ready." Richard Stanbrook, director, Pennon Water Services "This is a major change for the water sector." Charley Maher, managing director, water2business <12 Suppliers will not be allowed to back-bill customers for energy used more than 12 months ago under new proposals from Ofgem