Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Utility Regulation 2011 – Delivering Investment and Customer Value
Huge investment in network infrastructure is needed to ensure that energy and water supplies continue to be available to meet demand. At the same time Government wants the UK to transition to a low carbon economy whist also keeping prices to consumers at levels which are acceptable. Is it possible to incentivise investment in infrastructure for the renewable future without over-burdening consumers? Have Regulators been influencing policy too much with their many and varied incentive mechanisms? Will the reviews of the role of Ofgem and Ofwat lead to changes in the Regulator’s role with policy functions taken back into Government? Should Ofgem and Ofwat be focussed purely on economic regulation and, if so, what will such a change mean in reality? These are the exciting and challenging questions being addressed by Government, regulators and the regulated.
The Utility Regulation conference will also take a look at how RIIO is shaping up – will it deliver the levels of investment and innovation needed in the energy transmission and gas distribution sectors? Meanwhile in the water sector, the conference will take a look at how the Gray Review of Ofwat might lead to major changes in regulation, competition and mergers. The conference will address what these developments will mean for the shareholders / owners of the utilities and their ability to deliver the returns and investment necessary to deliver our future utility networks.
Join us for this seventh annual seminar in the series where these issues will be addressed, and other approaches and ideas introduced .
See programme below or book your place now
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The Utility Networks division of SBGI and SBWWI are jointly organising this annual one day event.
DATE: 12 April 2011
VENUE: Chesford Grange Conference Centre,
Kenilworth CV8 2LD
Connecting consumers to utility services – gas, water, electricity telecoms – is set for major change in the future sustainable and ‘connected’ world.
Join us for this stimulating one day seminar looking at both current and future challenges for network companies, connection providers and building developers.
Hear the latest opinions from senior representatives of the industry, visit our topical exhibition and enjoy a day of valuable networking.
Download leaflet for more information
Programme:
Further information on advertising in the next issue of Utility Business Magazine or placing a banner advert on this blog, please visit the advertising section or download our media information pack for 2011
Alternatively, you can email us here
Calls to 0870 199 4044
Subscribe to the Utility Business blog here
ENA/SBGI Utility Networks
Utility Street Works Seminar 2011
The climate for critical utility infrastructure maintenance, repair and replacement in urban environments has never been more challenging and a quality line up of Government representatives, utilities, highways authorities and other industry players contributed to the joint ENA/SBGI Utility Street Works Seminars February.
The event, which took place at One Great George Street, London, attracted capacity audience of 120 senior industry players. Key topics included permits schemes, proposed lane rental in London, the Olympics 2012 and technological advances in trenchless techniques and innovation in street works.
Richard Buckley, Deputy Director, Traffic Management, for the Department for Transport, gave the keynote address. He reviewed 
the coalition’s view on Street Works Policy but admitted that, as yet, there had not been much progress and very few decisions had been taken. What he could report was a very different approach to policy to come. He outlined the creative approach the coalition were taking, aiming to be very different from what had been before. Big society, Richard felt, would play a central role for people and professionals and the core themes of localism and decentralisation will see Street Works policy being made at a local service level and with a local authority lead. He reported a large shift in culture in the corridors of Whitehall and indicated that central Government would take a “step backwards” to enable local action and local solutions to local problems.
The event also heard from Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s Advisor for Transport. Kulveer spoke of a desire to see utilities planning works better and with a more joined up approach between the different utility improvements that were needed. He explained that the proposed lane rental scheme for London would encourage contractors to avoid problems and plan better. It was not about generating income but driving innovation and the lane rental money would be used to encourage new technology that minimises the amount of space on the road and disruption to the public.
Chief Executive of the National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG), Les Guest, expressed disappointment with DfT’s decision to defer their independent review of permit schemes for street works. London and Kent will release annual reports on their schemes in April, but Les believes an overall review is required to determine the impact on utilities. The schemes, which levy cash penalties for overrunning street works, began in January 2010 as a replacement for the old noticing system. Currently, a total of 19 authorities across London are involved in the scheme, with another seven boroughs due to join them.
SBGI is grateful to all the speakers for providing input into this year’s event, to Chairman, David Jones, for his usual flair and skilled chairmanship and to the event sponsors:
Full programme:
The Seminar was supported by a lively exhibition including the event sponsors and DHL Supply Chain, Vac-Ex, Synthotec Special Products, Develop Training and Adien.
Further information on advertising in the next issue of Utility Business Magazine or placing a banner advert on this blog, please visit the advertising section or download our media information pack for 2011
Alternatively, you can email us here
Calls to 0870 199 4044
Subscribe to the Utility Business blog here
This year’s gas industry awards luncheon at the london hilton hotel, jointly organised by the Institution of gas engineers and managers and sbgi, was attended by over 680 senior Representatives and distinguished guests.
This annual event, which includes a three course Lunch, effective networking opportunity and topical industry keynote address, recognises Significant achievement in the gas industry and acknowledges accomplishment and innovation.
This year’s guest speaker was Steve Holliday, Chief Executive, National Grid. In his lunchtime address he called for joined up effort between utilities, government and regulators in order to achieve the UK’s low carbon targets and ensure energy security. “Are national targets realistic?….Can the UK plan to hit the targets by 2050… and still keep the gas flowing and the lights on?” he asked.
“Yes”, he thought; “but it is very, very challenging and requires joined up effort, the coordination of lots of different technology solutions, and an urgency that is finally starting to appear”.
Steve said he was not alone in the belief that it must start with electricity, then transport and heat.
“The new parliament”, he said, “has a great challenge ahead to sort out its policies and start delivering quickly whilst ensuring security of supply. It must get on with reviewing the ability of existing energy market mechanisms to deliver low carbon generation, start seriously addressing how consumers and businesses will improve energy efficiency, provide a way forward for a smarter, integrated distribution and transmission system and it needs to ensure that the planning regulations provide a framework which ensures that we are able to build the huge quantity of energy infrastructure required – quickly and in time for 2020.
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