Sign Up
Log in

Tackling the Trilemma

Examining the frictions between decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability - across both energy and water. An ongoing series of content from Utility Week.

Editor's picks

SuDS plans challenged by skills drought
The government's decision to mandate the inclusion of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in all new developments - while welcomed - has raised a number of questions. These include a significant skills gap, the sharing and funding of maintenance and the need for flexibility in regulation. Water companies shared their concerns with Utility Week.
News
UKPN: It’s not about power, it’s about impact
When it comes to brands commended for their exceptional customer service, household names such as John Lewis, Tesco and Marks and Spencer often spring to mind. Yet once again, against the backdrop of the worst energy crisis in memory, UK Power Networks is ranked among these well-known British brands for the way it treats its customers. Speaking to Utility Week, UKPN’s customer service chiefs explain how they did this.  
Analysis
Project from 2000 still waiting for grid connection
National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has estimated that 70% of projects contracted to connect to the transmission network never progress that far. Head of networks Julian Leslie cited one project in the queue for a connection that had been waiting for 23 years now.
News

Latest in Tackling the Trilemma

Hydrogen ‘mixed messages’ undermine boiler scheme
Government "mixed messaging" and "misinformation" about hydrogen’s future role in home heating is unhelpful because the fuel is "not a serious option in the short to medium-term", peers have warned. A Lords committee concludes that the uptake for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been undermined by government messaging on hydrogen.
News
Hinkley C’s £6bn cost hike tests UK’s nuclear resolve
A further £6 billion cost increase at Hinkley Point C will test the government’s commitment to funding future large-scale nuclear projects, according to energy industry experts. EDF has admitted that construction of the 3.2GW power plant is now estimated to cost as much as £32.7 billion.
News
UK green economic growth ‘unspectacular’ despite 30% boost
The UK's green economy grew by 30% in 2021 while the number of jobs in low-carbon industries increased by 16% year-on-year. Despite being worth £54.4 billion, a leading thinktank warned the UK was at risk of falling behind other countries because of limited political ambition and slower innovation than other nations.
News
How smart are Britain’s energy tariffs?
With energy emerging as a kitchen table issue, smart tariffs offer a way for households to save money on their bills, while contributing to the creation of a secure, decarbonised electricity system. But suppliers face numerous challenges in unleashing their full potential, including outdated systems and markets that fails to properly reward households for their flexibility. Tom Grimwood examines the current state of the market for smart tariffs and remaining barriers to their widespread adoption.
Analysis
Capacity Market secures record year-ahead power
The latest year-ahead Capacity Market auction has delivered a record amount of contracted back-up power. The results of the T-1 capacity market auction for 2023-24 show that 5.8GW of capacity has been secured, with a clearance price of £60/kW - the second highest in a T-1 auction. Among the talking points from the auction were the success of nuclear plants and the extension of a coal power station unit's life, which one analyst said was a sign that "coal is not dead … yet”.
News
Switching surge predicted for second half of 2023
Analysts are predicting a boom in customers switching energy supplier from this summer, driven by the relaxation of government support and falling wholesale power prices. However, this has sparked fears that Ofgem’s Market Stabilisation Charge will end up acting as a blocker to the most competitive tariffs.
News
UK offshore wind pipeline just shy of 100GW
The pipeline of offshore wind projects in the UK now stands at 99.8GW, with 130 offshore wind projects currently in development, representing an increase of 14GW compared to this time last year.
News
Exorcising the ghosts of BEIS
The formation of a new energy security and net zero department has been welcomed by the utilities sector but will it actually prove to be an improvement on its sprawling and ineffective predecessor? David Blackman asks whether a standalone energy department risks being sidelined and if net zero really will be at the heart of its mandate.
Analysis
Miliband defends Labour move to drop energy nationalisation
It would not be “right” for an incoming Labour government to use scarce resources to nationalise existing energy companies, Ed Miliband has said. The shadow energy secretary said that with "all the things we have got to do with heat pumps, in industry and in home insulation.... we probably don't want to spend money buying up old generating assets”.
News
What’s wrong with Ofgem?
The controversy over forced installations of prepayment meters has sparked renewed questions over whether Ofgem is failing to enforce its own rules. Former senior partner Maxine Frerk details her concerns around whether the regulator is listening to the wrong voices.
Opinion
What energy networks want to hear from the Spring Budget
A net-zero mandate for Ofgem, encouraging the growth of flexibility markets and a strategy for the use of hydrogen for seasonal energy storage are among the key asks of government from the Energy Networks Association (ENA).
Opinion
Radical reform could be a stabilising force for energy retail
News that Shell is the latest company to contemplate its future in the UK retail energy market has raised serious questions about how attractive the market is for investment. Amy Marshall and Jim Butler, energy experts at PA Consulting, say a strategic vision and clear plan for the future of retail would undoubtedly help Shell’s considerations as well as support other suppliers trying to see beyond the immediate crisis and plan for their own futures.
Opinion
Close
Clear
Close

Request a call back

    Filter out the noise and turn information into trusted insight with Utility Week's weekly newsletter

    Thanks, I’m not interested