Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 12TH - 18TH JANUARY 2018 | 3 This week 4 | Seven days 7 | Website relaunch A relaunch of utilityweek.co.uk sees My UtilityWeek come to fruition after a year of planning 11 Policy & Regulation 11 | News BEIS reveals unabated coal phase-out plan 12 | Analysis We invite four industry experts to give their predictions for what utilities can expect in 2018 16 | Analysis Ofwat sets the bar very high with a historically low Wacc 17 | Column Nigel Hawkins runs the slide rule over Ofwat's Wacc assumptions 18 | Analysis Energy networks reap the benefits of a kind RIIO regime 19 | Opinion The ENA's David Smith says networks have much to be proud of 21 | Market view Mobile technology drives innovation 22 Finance & Investment 22 | News Investors snap up 40 per cent of windfarm 23 | Market view Utility M&A trends 24 Operations & Assets 24 | High viz Anglian Water's Chatterton water tower 26 | Analysis The big winners of Ofgem's NIC 28 Customers 28 | News Q3 gas switches up 58% year on year 30 Community 31 | Disconnector GAS 21 | Market view Mobile technology drives innovation 28 | News Q3 gas switches up 58% year on year WATER 16 | Analysis Ofwat sets the bar very high with a historically low Wacc 17 | Column Nigel Hawkins runs the slide rule over Ofwat's Wacc assumptions 24 | High viz Anglian Water's Chatterton water tower ELECTRICITY 11 | News BEIS reveals unabated coal phase-out plan 22 | News Investors snap up 40 per cent of windfarm ENERGY 12 | Analysis We invite four industry experts to give their predictions for what utilities can expect in 2018 18 | Analysis Energy networks reap the benefits of a kind RIIO regime 19 | Opinion The ENA's David Smith says networks have much to be proud of 23 | Market view Utility M&A trends 26 | Analysis The big winners of Ofgem's NIC Pitney Bowes: Make self service smarter and more engaging http://bit.ly/2nAa2rC CGI: Demand side flexibility in UK utilities http://bit.ly/2hrMapA Knowledge worth Keeping Visit the DownloaDs section of Utility week's website http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/ downloads Leader Ellen Bennett New Year's Resolutions It's a new year – but, for utilities, the same old pressures remain. Indeed, 2018 will see those pressures intensify. With two major regu- latory settlements on the cards, a ra of policy changes, an oen hostile media, and the ever-present uncertainty of Brexit, executives are gearing up for a tough 12 months ahead. And what should be on their list of new year's resolutions? Here's a few ideas: 1. One person crossing their fingers for a good start of the new year will be incoming Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher. Her predecessor, Cathryn Ross, leaves big boots to fill. For Fletcher, the focus in her first 12 months will be on keeping PR19 on track, strik- ing the right balance between affordability and sustainability at a time when the water sector is under unprecedented scrutiny. 2. Water companies will also have their eyes on PR19, no doubt resolving to fulfil their business plan ambitions, whether they're shooting for "fast track" or perhaps in one or two cases "excep- tional" status. Read our analysis of which category each company's business plan is likely to achieve at utilityweek.co.uk to get an insight into what's to come. 3. Fletcher's opposite number at Ofgem (and former boss) Dermot Nolan will have his own challenges. With the regulator's cuts to embedded benefits under judicial review, and sweeping changes to network charging on the drawing board, 2018 will have its share of fights. 4. Network companies may well be resolving to put across their positive stories in 2018. Unused to the glare of the public spotlight, they faced some withering coverage from the tabloid media as last year drew to a close. They say it's unfair and fails to reflect the inno- vation and value they deliver for customers – and they'll be looking to make this point publicly and repeatedly in the months ahead. 5. With disruption across the utilities market, business of all shapes and sizes will be resolving simply to survive the year ahead. For one energy start up, Brighter World Energy, it is a resolution that was sadly breached in the opening days of the year when it closed its doors. Let's hope that as cost pressures on small retailers rise, innovation will not be the first sacrifice. 6. One final new year's resolution – visit our newly relaunched website and personalise your experience to receive the informa- tion that matters to you, when you need it. You can read about the changes we've made on pages 7-9, and visit www.utilityweek.co.uk to see for yourself. Ellen Bennett, Editor, ellenbennett@fav-house.com

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