British Utilities

05/06/2026

Auctions matter for our green future

May 23, 2026

Net Hero Podcast

This week I sat down with Kirsten Oliver from WSP to unpack what the latest Contracts for Difference auction means and why it matters

This week I sat down with Kirsten Oliver from WSP to unpack what the latest Contracts for Difference auction means and why it mattershttps://fnz.energylivene...

05/06/2026

EDF and Enterprise Nation help firms take first high street step:

- Applications now open for businesses to secure a free two-week retail space in Brighton's Duke's Lane
- Initiative forms part of the next phase of EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation's Powering Local Businesses partnership
- Wider programme includes sustainability grants, free EV chargers, expert webinars and a new podcast series

EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation have launched the next phase of their Powering Local Businesses partnership with a new pop-up shop initiative designed to help small businesses trial physical retail space and reach new customers.

Applications are now open for small businesses to secure a free two-week residency at a dedicated pop-up shop in Duke's Lane, Brighton, running from 29 June to 26 July 2026.

05/06/2026

Drivers paying nearly £20 extra to fill up as fuel costs bite:

Motorists are now shelling out an average of £18.20 more per full tank than they were before fuel prices spiked in March 2026. According to a Tempcover survey of 2,000 petrol and diesel drivers, diesel users are feeling the biggest squeeze, paying around £23.10 more each time they fill up.

Concerns about rising prices are widespread, with 88% of drivers worried that costs will keep climbing. The pressure is already changing behaviour: 44% say they’re driving less, with most cutting back on non‑essential journeys (62%). Others are turning to walking or cycling more (39%) or using public transport (26%) to manage costs.

The financial strain is spilling into household budgets too. Nearly half (49%) have reduced spending in at least one area to offset fuel bills, with eating out (28%) the most common sacrifice.

The findings also point to an accelerating shift towards electric vehicles.

05/06/2026

Yorkshire Water unveils AI for real‑time river forecasts:

Yorkshire Water has begun a two‑year research programme to deliver near‑real‑time predictions of river water quality at 20 inland bathing sites across the region, working in partnership with AI company UnifAI Technology.

Backed by Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, the project blends machine‑learning models with high‑frequency sensor data and regular lab testing. Environmental monitoring firm SOCOTEC is installing sensors that will capture readings every 15 minutes, tracking dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, temperature and turbidity.

Alongside this, water samples will be collected four times a week to test for harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococci. Over 24 months, more than 7,800 data sets will be generated to train AI models capable of predicting bacteria levels almost instantly. Sites include Ilkley, Wetherby, Knaresborough and Harrogate.

05/06/2026

Rising standing charges are becoming one of the biggest pressures on SME energy costs in 2026. Even as wholesale prices move up and down, many businesses are seeing their bills stay high because fixed daily charges continue to increase. For low‑usage SMEs, the standing charge can now cost more than the energy they actually consume.
Understanding the Role of Standing Charges
A standing charge is the fixed daily fee you pay simply to remain connected to the electricity or gas network. Unlike unit rates, which rise and fall with the wholesale market, standing charges are driven by network costs, policy decisions, and supplier risk models. For more context, see how business energy billing works.
What’s Driving the Increase
Standing charges have increased sharply over the past two years due to several structural pressures. According to Ofgem standing charge guidance, these fixed costs are influenced by a combination of network investment, policy decisions, and supplier risk models.
‑commoditycosts ‑throughenergycosts

04/06/2026

Filming nature without harm

May 23, 2026

Net Hero Podcast

This week I meet a lawyer who walked away from the courtroom and built a streaming platform for nature that deliberately does not trash the planet while telling its stories

This week I meet a lawyer who walked away from the courtroom and built a streaming platform for nature that deliberately does not trash the planet while tell...

04/06/2026

Oil & gas slow-walk renewables:

Renewables are on track to generate over 40% of the world’s electricity by 2030, according to new analysis from GlobalData, even as major oil and gas players juggle climate goals with financial pressures and shifting regulations.

GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, Renewable Energy in Oil and Gas, projects renewable electricity output will climb from 7.4PWh in 2020 to 16.1PWh in 2030, an annual growth rate of 8.1%. Over the same decade, fossil fuels’ share of global power generation is expected to fall from 62% to 50%.

The report notes that global electricity demand has risen by roughly 30% in the past ten years, while renewable capacity has nearly doubled.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said the acceleration in renewables is being driven by global decarbonisation efforts, heightened energy‑security concerns, and falling technology costs.

04/06/2026

3 Things SMEs Misunderstand About Energy Contracts: Many SMEs sign energy contracts without fully understanding the terms, protections or risks involved. This often leads to unexpected costs, renewal shocks or disputes that could have been avoided with clearer information. These are the 3 things SMEs misunderstand most often about energy contracts, and each one can lead to avoidable costs.
1. Renewal Prices Aren’t Linked to Your Previous Rate — and Why SMEs Need Dependable 24/7 Clean Power
One of the 3 things SMEs misunderstand is how renewal pricing works and why it often increases unexpectedly.

04/06/2026

The Ultimate Heritage Retrofit! Ground Source Heat Pumps and Electric Steam!

Jun 3, 2026

We're inside the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, one of the most extraordinary decarbonisation projects in the UK!

This Victorian-era building, built on the site of Liverpool Road Station - the world's first passenger railway station, has replaced its ageing gas fired steam system with a cutting edge electric setup, all while keeping its incredible 19th century engines running for visitors to see. Here's how they did it!

We're inside the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, one ...

03/06/2026

Is the world really coming on this net zero trip?

May 22, 2026

Net Hero Podcast

This time I talk to Kate Schecter from World Neighbours on how we ensure developing nations at the forefront of climate change are part of the net zero effort

This time I talk to Kate Schecter from World Neighbours on how we ensure developing nations at the forefront of climate change are part of the net zero effor...