Utility Week articles from January 2007

Utility Week archives from January 2007

WaterNew owners face scrutiny on competition.(Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund and Utilities Trust of Australia acquires South East Water after Mid Kent Water)(Osprey Energy acquires AWG PLC)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... The Competition Commission has launched an inquiry into whether a merger between South East Water and Mid Kent Water will prejudice Ofwat's ability to compare water companies for the purpose of assessing performance and setting prices. ...

News.(utilities to receive grants for refraining from fossil fuel usage)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... ENERGY Low carbon gets double grant boost Industrial, commercial and community organisations have just ten weeks to apply for grants for biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat and power projects. The Department for Environment,...

News.(Novera Group Ltd. acquires 50 per cent securities from Macquarie Renewables Corp.)(Jane Tye and Neil Stewart listed on Queen's New Year honours)(Information and Communication Technlogies International Symposium fines British Gas PLC)
January 12, 2007... Grid accepts review National Grid has accepted regulator Ofgem's 2007-12 transmission price control and one-year price control for gas distribution networks. On the transmission review, National Grid chief executive designate Steve...

News.(Severn Trent Laboratories sale of it's U.S. laboratories to TestAmerica)(protests against the construction of of gas pipeline in New South Wales)(Yorkshire Water PLC charged with penalty for polluting a local dike)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Playing it too safe The risk-averse purchasing policies of water companies and an economic regulatory system that insufficiently rewards innovation are barriers to the adoption of innovative products and techniques, a UK Water Industry...

WATERWelsh Water and Ofwat told to pay Albion.(News)(Welsh Water PLC)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Ofwat and Welsh Water must jointly pay costs of [pounds sterling]275,000 to Albion Water over the ten-year Shotton paper mill case, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled. Last year, the CAT ruled in favour of Albion in its claim...

ELECTRICITYCEZ rocked by accusations over bonuses.(Features)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Ten former supervisory board members at Czech Republic state-owned power company CEZ face up to eight years in prison for allegedly accepting illegal bonuses and perks. The ten accused of breach of trust sat on CEZ's supervisory council,...

GAS'Opportunistic' Cameron calls for gas probe.(News)(David Cameron)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... A war of words broke out this week after Conservative leader David Cameron called for a probe by the competition watchdog into domestic gas prices. Cameron on Monday urged the Office of Fair Trading to investigate, when he launched a...

Spend, spend, spend.(Features)(capital expenditure in public utilities)
January 12, 2007... The clamour from investors to buy into water is evidence of gold-plated capital expenditure and a generous price review, says Nigel Hawkins The implementation of the 2005-10 periodic review has given rise to feverish debate about various...

eNERGYCentrica signals job and customer losses.(News)(Centrica PLC)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Roger Milne British Gas has become the first of the UK's big six domestic energy suppliers to promise a reduction in household bills this spring, although it has refused to speculate on the size of the cut. The pledge came as...

WaterNew testing regime could slash costs.(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Vibeka Mair The water industry could save up to [pounds sterling]23.2 million a year by taking a risk-based approach to monitoring cryptosporidium and contaminants such as E.coli. The move was suggested in a consultation on...

WATERCyprus to boost desalination to help fill dams.(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Cyprus is to respond to two years of low rainfall with more investment in desalination plants, agriculture minister Photis Photiou has announced. Cyprus already has two desalination plants. Photiou said he would submit a proposal for a new...

Features.
January 12, 2007... THE 12 January House of Lords science and technology committee publishes follow-up report on water management One-day sludge treatment and disposal seminar, Centre for Environmental Health Engineering, Guildford 17 January...

environmentCarbon row escalates as Commission digs in.(Features)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Roger Milne A trial of strength has developed between the European Commission and a group of member states over the next phase of the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). At issue is the Commission's tough stance on the...

Features.(Empresa Nacional del Gas S.A. dissatisfied with changes made by Spanish government)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... GAS Government changes may hit Enagas Spain's gas transporter, Enagas, has complained that the Spanish government did not consult on changes to the formula for calculating its allowed revenues. An order is made annually...

News.(UK government's emissions target unachievable due to coal burn)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... ENERGY Coal burn threat to emissions target UK electricity generators are continuing to burn significantly more coal than a year ago to maintain power output, latest government figures have highlighted. This trend will make it...

ENVIRONMENTPeople unmoved by the environment.(News)(British energy policy)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... The environment was rated as the most important issue facing the UK by just 14 per cent of the population in a YouGov poll conducted for the Electricity Policy Research Group last year. Despite environment secretary David Miliband's...

ENERGYEC gets serious on competition.(News)(European Commission)
January 12, 2007... The European Commission this week published two key documents covering energy issues that will test the European Union's political will to complete market reforms begun nearly a decade ago and spark a new "industrial revolution" underpinned by...

Features.(Gaz de France extends contract with Gazprom)(Angela Merkel's nuclear policy)(Eon, Endesa merger)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Spain on notice Spain has until 19 January to withdraw the conditions it put on a proposed merger between Eon and Endesa or face legal action. Earlier modifications had only "clarified" the conditions, not lifted them, according to the...

Switched on to Anglesey's magic.(News)
January 12, 2007... These are strange times for the island of Anglesey. There's clearly something odd going on. First, motorists who ventured near the isle's Magnox power plant, Wylfa, sometimes found that proximity to the station played havoc with their vehicles'...

News.(Scottish Hydro Electric to sponsor and promote club rugby in Scotland)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Tartan touch: Scottish Hydro Electric has become the title sponsor of the 15-a-side Premiership, National Leagues and National Cup competitions in Scotland. The six-figure sponsorship deal will enable Scottish Rugby and the energy supplier to...

MULTI-UTILITYNew deadline for possible Suez bid.(Features)(Francois Pinault)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... French billionaire Francois Pinault has been given until 2 February to launch or detail a bid for utility company Suez. That ruling came from France's Financial Markets Authority on Tuesday, a week after Artemis, the holding company that...

WATEROfwat acts to bolster confidence in GSS.(News)(guaranteed standards of service)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Vibeka Mair Water regulator Ofwat has acted to bolster confidence in guaranteed standards of service (GSS), which require water companies to make automatic payments to customers when they fall short on service commitments. The move...

News.(review of gas transmission rules)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Row takes off over offtake arrangements planned by National Grid The gas industry has urged Ofgem to review its stance on new rules for companies to obtain access rights to flow gas from the main high-pressure National Transmission System....

GASNew regime for network links.(News)(Ofgem regulates gas distribution networks)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Roger Milne Ofgem has published its decisions on the long-term commercial and regulatory framework for connections to gas distribution networks (GDNs). The new arrangements will come into force in October this year and will be...

Trouble in store.(Features)(UK gas storage)
January 12, 2007... Everyone agrees that the UK needs to store more gas, but no-one wants a storage scheme near them . Something's got to give, says Roger Milne In some respects, the UK gas storage scene has changed out of all recognition over the past...

News.(hosepipe bans for water conservation)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... WATER Defra to rethink drought measures A planned consultation on how to update 60-year-old water saving measures such as hosepipe bans will be carried out in parallel with a broader consultation on the Drought Direction 1991,...

Features.(Norsk Hydro ASA to be chaired by Eivind Reiten after its merge with Statoil ASA)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... ENERGY Stripped down Hydro loses gas and oil Norway's Hydro is to hive off its oil and gas activities and merge them with Statoil to create "one strong Norway-based energy champion", according to Statoil president and chief executive...

Features.
January 12, 2007... Plans for a 380MW 'merchant' interconnector between Mendrisio, Switzerland, and Cagno, Italy, took a step forward in December when Azienda Elettrica Ticinese signed a [euro]5 million contract with Nexans to supply and install the 27km link

ELECTRICITYFinland turns downRussian power link.(Finland. Ministry of Trade and Industry rejects United Power Corp. proposal for building an interconnector)(1GW subsea interconnector)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Gerard O'Dwyer Finland's Ministry of Trade and Industry has rejected a proposal by United Power, the Helsinki-based and Russia-owned energy company, to build a 1GW subsea interconnector between the St Petersburg region and Finland. The...

Features.(United Kingdom ideal for foreign investors in energy industries)
January 12, 2007... Will the utility asset bubble continue to grow in 2007? One of the most significant trends of 2006 was the acquisition of UK utilities by overseas buyers, often fuelled by private equity investment, at prices significantly above what might...

Features.(Germany. Federal Network Agency bans bilateral contracts)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... gas Germany enforces entry/exit regime Germany's energy regulator, the Federal Network Agency, has moved swiftly to enforce the ban on bilateral point-to-point contracts in the gas industry. From this month, such contacts will no...

News.(weather forecasts for United Kingdom)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Cloud control: The Met Office has maintained its earlier forecast that there will be average or above-average temperatures for the remainder of the winter. It also said average or above-average rainfall was likely. However, the Met Office said...

Gas prices remain depressed.(deflation of gas prices)
January 12, 2007... Mild weather over the holiday period and improving supply prospects combined to deflate gas prices again, with April 07 Annual falling 16 per cent to below 35 pence a therm. The now traditional Russian dispute over gas supplies with one of its...

News.
January 12, 2007... Crash find: the flight recorder from the helicopter that crashed en route to a Centrica gas production rig in Morecambe Bay a fortnight ago - killing five workers and the two pilots - has been recovered

News.(nuclear reactors closed)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Two's company: nuclear reactors at Sizewell A and Dungeness A (right) were permanently shut at the turn of the year, leaving just two of the UK's ten-strong Magnox plants generating power, at Oldbury and Wylfa. The plants were commissioned in...

News.(Energy & Utility Skills)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... EU Skills looks to expand training Sector skills council Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) has said it will seek to extend its Young Apprenticeship programme this year. The programme is run in partnership with utility companies and other...

News.(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Grid makes human rights an issue National Grid has revised its position on human rights to take account of global human rights issues as part of its corporate responsibility policy. After a review, the company has added two new...

Scottish Water apprentice to appear on TV.(Scottish Water employee Scott Clavering to appear in a 15-week television documentary)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... A Scottish Water apprentice has taken part in a 15-week television documentary. Scott Clavering, who took up a modern apprenticeship with Scottish Water two years ago, was sent to rural Kenya with 13 other apprentices from across the UK to...

Thames seeks local views on reservoir.(RWE Thames Water PLC plans to construct reservoirs)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by ZoA' Grainge Thames Water has begun the year by launching the second stage of its consultation for a planned new reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. Thames is due to apply for planning permission for the [pounds...

News.(Steve Shine)(Mike Saunders)(Owen West)(Andrej Vaughan)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Steve Shine has been appointed chief operating officer of Thames Water. He joins from construction services company SGB UK, where he was chief executive. Prior to SGB, Shine was the managing director of 24seven. Project management and...

All parties keen to keep it green.(political parties in UK to emphasize on emissions trading)
January 12, 2007... Environmental and energy issues make much of the running as Parliament returns this week Environment secretary David Miliband has been insisting that unless Labour seizes the "green" high ground, it will lose the next general election....

Baptism by water.(new Office of Water Services chief executive Regina Finn)(Interview)
January 12, 2007... New Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn has plunged in at the deep end, taking the reins during very turbulent times . She talks to Vibeka Mair Water regulator Ofwat enters 2007 facing many challenges. Booming profits in the sector and...

ELECTRICITYLewis power connection to go underground.(Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Limited)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... A planned high voltage connection to bring power from proposed renewable energy developments in the Western Isles of Scotland could largely be placed underground, according to a consultation from Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Limited...

WaterScottish firms face bill hike.(News)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Some of Scottish Water's customers could face a five-fold rise in trade effluent charges when higher rates are introduced in 2008. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland is allowing the increases for around 900 customers paying less...

WATERScottish Water gets leakage deadline.(News)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Scottish Water must achieve its economic level of leakage by 2014 under new targets to be set by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS). The regulator announced the proposal in its consultation on the approach to the 2010-14 price...

Features.(electric utilities customer relations)(Survey)
January 12, 2007... Experience wins every time The utilities sector is one of the worst-performing sectors when it comes to providing a positive customer experience. People's emotional response makes up half their customer experience, but utilities generate...

GASStar surveys offshore for storage options.(Star Energy Group)(Virgo Energy)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Star Energy Group, which has a growing portfolio of onshore gas storage projects in the UK, has confirmed it is investigating the feasibility of an offshore scheme. The company has agreed a deal with Virgo Energy over the latter's...

ENERGYOfgem moves to curb token meter debt rise.(News)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Roger Milne Proposed changes to domestic energy companies' supply licences will include a new obligation to regularly update electricity token meters, Ofgem has signalled. The regulator has acted after concerns from consumer groups,...

News.(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... WATER Water loaded with more chemicals New drinking water requirements led to the amount of chemicals used to treat water supplies increasing by nearly one-third in 2005/06, according to new sustainability indicators published by Water...

News.(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... WATER Thames Tideway decision 'urgent' Environment minister Ian Pearson is considering "as a matter of urgency" whether to go ahead with a 30km tunnel under London that would stop sewage discharges into the River Thames. Pearson...

Smoke alarm.(electric industry responds to climate change)
January 12, 2007... To make informed investment decisions, generators urgently need clarity on carbon policy after 2012, say Graham Stuart and Ann Marie Fisher Electricity generators are hoping to see real progress this year on the development of a post-2012...

PAN-UTILITYUU promises 'arm's length' dealing.(News)(United Utilities PLC)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... United Utilities has agreed to trade at "arm's length" with its associate businesses from April 2007, after Ofwat threatened enforcement action for a breach in licence arrangements. The agreement came after the water, electricity and...

WATER[pounds sterling]1 billion bill to meet WFD chemical limits.(Water Framework Directive)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... by Janet Wood Protecting the aquatic environment from chemicals regarded as "priority substances" under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) could cost wastewater companies [pounds sterling]1 billion, according to a regulatory impact...

News.(ministers support water-saving standards)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... WATER Ministers float water-saving standards Ministers have proposed for the first time a set of minimum standards for water efficiency in new homes and new commercial buildings in England. The government has begun consulting on...

WATERCompanies support low cost homes.(News)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... Ten water companies have signed up to the Prince of Wales's Affordable Housing Initiative in a bid to identify land that can be sold or leased to help provide affordable homes in rural areas. According to Business in the Community, which is...

News.(Chamber of Shipping's concerns)(Brief article)
January 12, 2007... ELECTRICITY London Array 'threatens shipping' The Chamber of Shipping has raised "serious concerns" over an offshore windfarm granted consent from the Department of Trade and Industry in December. The DTI gave consent for two...

Features.
January 12, 2007... PAN-UTILITY Are utilities caught in a stock market bubble, and could companies such as Iberdrola, which is paying an enormous premium for ScottishPower, be at risk from a burst? ENERGY Has Ofgem been too soft on National Grid in...

News.
January 19, 2007... On alert: the Home Office has confirmed that armed police are being deployed at key energy infrastructure sites such as north east Scotland's St Fergus gas terminals (above), and Bacton and Easington on England's east coast

News.(Wessex Water fined for polluting water)(Michael Brooker and Gillian Owen joins The Water Services Regulation Authority )(Powergen is recruiting staff)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Storm damage Wessex Water has been told to pay [pounds sterling]4,966 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to polluting the River Avon with sewage after a build-up of silt caused a storm sewer to overflow. This was the second spill in...

WATEROfwat seeks Mid Kent merger guarantees.(News)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... by Vibeka Mair Ofwat has raised concerns about the proposed merger between Mid Kent Water and South East Water in a submission to the Competition Commission. It said the loss of a comparator could be addressed only if material...

Features.(seminars )(Brief article)(Calendar)
January 19, 2007... THE 24 January Utility Street Works 2007, a one-day conference organised by the Energy Networks Association, London 25 January Evening seminar on funding nuclear power, organised by Dundas & Wilson, London 25-26 January...

WATEREast of England drains 'can't cope'.(Hertfordshire's drainage system in poor shape)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... The sewage treatment network for east Hertfordshire cannot support thousands of new homes being built on the outskirts of Sawbridgeworth without "significant" investment, according to a report by engineering consultancy Halcrow in partnership...

News.(National Grid Company PLC facing setbacks on pipeline construction)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Pipe stop: National Grid is facing more setbacks over the construction of its 241km pipeline from Milford Haven to Gloucestershire. The project is planned to carry liquefied natural gas from south west Wales to the high pressure national...

Features.(European Commission targets on energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions)
January 19, 2007... Faced with a likely investment of [euro]25 billion in generation capacity over the next 25 years, the "overriding priority" in giving investment signals is a properly functioning market, the European Commission says. But simply directing...

Features.
January 19, 2007... ENERGY Endesa bidders prepare for battle The battle for control of leading Spanish utility Endesa was expected to resume this week, provided that rival bids by Germany's Eon and Spanish gas supplier Gas Natural are given the go-ahead...

GASEon pushes ahead with storage plan.(News)(Eon UK )(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Eon UK has submitted a planning application to build an underground gas storage facility to the north of Aldbrough in east Yorkshire. Last year, the company carried out geological investigations to confirm the area's suitability for a major...

Features.(Office of Gas and Electricity Markets energy regulation)
January 19, 2007... Does the Commission mean business? Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan insists that it does. He argues that there has been a convergence of events, and he lists them: security of supply (compounded by concerns about Russia) the low-carbon...

Features.(in briefs)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... COMPETITION laction against companies that violate anti-trust rules la further package of action, some requiring EU legislation, to ensure a "complete internal energy market with open competition and effective regulation by January...

Features.
January 19, 2007... Toppling the barriers to liberalisation The Commission's final report of its sector inquiry makes it clear that despite the liberalisation of the internal energy market - and two attempts to legislate for an open market - significant...

Features.(renewable energy)
January 19, 2007... Missing links stifle the development of renewables In its energy strategy, the Commission singles out interconnections as one of the most serious bottlenecks holding up the efficient use of renewable energy. The slow development of...

Fighting talk.(Features)
January 19, 2007... After years of frustration, the European Commission is finally preparing to force liberalisation on the energy market . The Utility Week team reports At the launch last Wednesday of its Energy Policy for Europe, the European Commission...

Mushrooms have feelings too.(News)(Western Power Distribution Holdings Ltd. legal case involving land)
January 19, 2007... It's nail-biting time for Western Power Distribution, the electricity distributor. It is involved in a titanic struggle which has pitted the US-owned company against the eco-warriors of Cardiff and the Principality's adviser on wildlife...

News.
January 19, 2007... Be very afraid: these sinister looking gents turned up in the capital recently to remind firms to put sustainability at the top of their business agendas. The wheelbarrows are stuffed full of the sort of resources that go to waste every year -...

WATER Fat fines for repeat offender.(News)(United Utilities )(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... United Utilities has successfully prosecuted a Morecambe food company for illegally discharging fat into the sewers. Tulip had consent from United Utilities to discharge waste into the sewer. However, samples taken by the water company...

News.(Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to form committee)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is co-ordinating 15 projects to explore new ways of managing urban flooding and financing flood measures. The projects will bring together water companies, local authorities and...

ENERGYGermany rejects EU call for unbundling.(Features)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... by Simon Jones Germany's energy regulator has rejected the European Commission's call for network unbundling. Federal Network Agency president Matthias Kurth said the Commission's demand for the separation of supply and generation...

WaterThames Water hosepipe ban to remain.(News)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Thames Water has denied reports that it is about to withdraw its nine-month hosepipe and sprinkler ban in the light of higher than average rainfall this month. The UK's largest water company said it was "closer to lifting it" but had no...

ELECTRICITYBlues over Danube hydro power stations.(Features)
January 19, 2007... The Slovak government has said it wants to retake control of Gabcikovo hydroelectric power plant. It claimed power company Slovenske Elektrarne was operating it illegally. The previous government sold a 66 per cent stake in Slovenske...

Features.
January 19, 2007... ELECTRICITY Investment decisions 'needed now' Utilities must make firm investment decisions or convince users to cut demand. Otherwise, Europe will face a power deficit by 2013, according to the Union for the Co-ordination of...

ENERGYEni is 'still too dominant' in Italy.(Features)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... The latest three-year plan published by Italian energy regulator AEEG has warned that the creation of a gas exchange and other progress towards liberalisation was unlikely while Eni still dominated the market. The authority urged further...

Features.(Column)
January 19, 2007... The Commission means business Last week, the European Commission threw down the gauntlet and threatened the big European energy companies with enforced ownership unbundling. In one sense, there's no surprises there. After all, competition...

WATERReport urges minister rethink.(News)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... by Janet Wood The government is "worryingly complacent" about the high level of unpaid water bills and "equally inadequate" in its approach to water affordability, according to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. In a...

News.(Water Management )(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... Thirsty for the truth: consumption figures 'obfuscate' The findings in Water Management in relation to the government's Sustainable Communities Plan "caused consternation", the lords' follow-up report said. Committee members suggested at...

GASMPs rap Ofgem over sale of gas networks.(News)(Brief article)
January 19, 2007... by Roger Milne Parliament has criticised Ofgem for its handling of the sale of four gas distribution networks. MPs said that consumers should benefit more and that they should do so sooner than the regulator planned. The comments came...