Europe’s two biggest utilities reported their first-half results this week, nearing a test for the new units they have created, separating new and conventional energy assets. At both E.ON and RWE, the new energy units comprise renewable power, grid networks and retail sales, separated from fossil fuel energy and trading, to target growth markets, and more stable, regulated incomes, given that renewables are often supported by government subsidies, and grid networks earn regulated returns. But there are also big differences. E.ON is spinning off its conventional energy assets, now called Uniper, to exit completely overtime. RWE will separate its new business, now called innogy, and retain a large, majority shareholding. The tactic raises two questions; first, how far deep-rooted are the changes, and second, what investors will make of it.
Energy & Carbon 11th Aug 2016 read more »
IGov has published a number of blogs etc about the New York Reforming the Energy Vision, and in particular NY’s new, regulatory value proposition, distribution service providers. When discussing the NY REV in GB with various stakeholders in different forums (for example, the DSO versus DSP workshop), the comments received can be divided into four general streams.
IGov 11th Aug 2016 read more »
The University of Exeter’s Energy Policy Group (EPG) is very pleased to submit to the Consultation on the National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) – Process and Methodology. The EPG submitted evidence to the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) Inquiry into Electricity Interconnection and Storage, which subsequently led to the very good NIC Report on Smart Power. The EPG has a project: Innovation and Governance for a Sustainable Economy (IGov). This has a small team working on the politics and decision-making processes of governance which fits squarely within the NIC remit. At root, IGov argues that GB energy governance (including of interconnection and storage) is not fit for purpose. We have developed a DRAFT institutional framework for what we would argue is a fit-for-purpose GB energy governance structure. This is attached as an Annex to this submission.
IGov 11th Aug 2016 read more »