Energy customers do not always realise that they already face, in that tabloid favourite phrase, a ‘postcode lottery’ in their energy bills, because network costs vary between one region and another. It will soon become much clearer.
Two judgments over whether government acted retrospectively in changing subsidy levels have left investments ‘in the pipeline’ vulnerable to policy changes, according to law firm CMS Cameron McKenna.
As the final investment decision for Hinkley Point C was delayed again to May, news came of delays elsewhere in the UK nuclear new-build plans.
Plans to introduce competitive tendering for large, separable assets on the transmission network will eventually be extended to the distribution network, witnesses from regulator Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) confirm
Ofgem has opened a tender for an Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) to acquire the connection to Burbo Bank Extension – the only ‘Round 4’ tender.
Ofgem will have greater responsibility for code governance and code administration will be a licensable – and competitive – activity under changes proposed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
An industry working group is set to start consulting on changes to distribution network supply standards – so-called P2 – that could see local security vary between areas.
Janet Wood spoke to Mike Harding, head of regulation at Brookfield Utilities, about independent DNOs’ views on charging
• Do you think the role of independent networks will grow?
A suite of reviews could mean fundamental reassessment of the charging structure for electricity networks at both distribution and transmission levels.
Statoil’s Energy Ventures capital fund, which has $200 million to invest in renewable energy -companies, has invested $3 million in United Wind. The company offers a leasing option for onsite wind turbines in rural areas in the US.