Welcome to the Winter 2024 issue of
Buying and Using Utilities.
Published four times a year, B+UU magazine is delivered direct to the country’s most influential corporate energy and water buyers.
The theme of this issue is What does 2025 have in store?
Including articles on Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement, ways you can chart a course to Net Zero and cut your water costs in 2025, what 2025 will bring for business energy users, highlights and takeaways from Buying and Using Utilities Live, our Autumn Conference and Exhibition and more…
Strategic utility management in a changing landscape
Page 4
MEUC’s Chief Executive, Robin Hale, reflects on the recent
Coventry conference, offering valuable insights for members
and industry leaders dedicated to shaping the future of energy management.
The electricity
future for England
and Wales
Page 8
MEUC’s Technical Director, Eddie Proffitt, and member of NGET’s Independent Stakeholder Group, provides insight into the company’s
ambitious plan for the next five years.
What on earth is going on with water?
Page 10
From ‘special measures’ to people on the streets, MEUC’s Water Adviser, Karma Loveday, provides a short explainer on why water has become so political.
Labour’s return to power gives
DESNZ a high profile
Page 12
Geoff Davies of WWAM Writers Ltd. outlines a flurry of
Government activity relevant to UK energy
What will Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) mean for businesses in 2025?
Page 14
As the industry prepares for widespread changes under MHHS, Sander Van de Wouw, Director of Core Services and Metering at EDF Business Solutions outlines how businesses can get ahead by taking action to prepare now.
The year ahead: what does 2025
hold for major energy users?
Page 16
Since July’s General Election, the Government has prioritised
decarbonisation and market reform in energy policy. To address challenges for businesses and households, plans are underway to reshape the UK’s energy governance and structure. Jodie Eaton, CEO of Shell Energy UK, explores how major energy users can seize new opportunities.
2025: Navigating the
energy landscape with data-driven decisions
Page 18
Every business seeks strategic, cost-effective, and innovative ways to manage utilities and reduce operating costs. Wave’s Head of Water Efficiency Services, Oli Shelley, presents a new trial designed to save resources, time, money, and water, with the potential to revolutionise your Legionella Risk Management
(LRM) strategy.
Are you up to speed with key sustainability regulations impacting the public sector?
Page 20
EDF Business Solutions are committed to helping MEUC members navigate the latest industry developments. This article, by EDF’s Let’s TalkPower team, is designed to educate public sector organisations on the upcoming sustainability rules and regulations that will shape the future.
Ways you can chart a course to Net Zero and cut your water costs in 2025
Page 21
National Grid recently launched a consultation
proposing adjustments to the DFS scheme. Daniel
Starman, Energy Market Lead at Drax Energy Solutions,
examines the suggested changes and what they might
mean for businesses.
2025: What is on the horizon for industrial energy?
Page 26
David Kipling, CEO of On-Site Energy Group, examines the Labour Government’s ambitious renewable energy targets and
the UK’s current progress toward Net Zero.
What will 2025 bring for business energy users?
Page 27
As we move through 2024, the UK’s low-carbon transition is
at a key turning point. With major energy goals ahead, Louise
Ward, Head of Optimisation and Customer Costs at npower Business Solutions, highlights the challenges and opportunities
businesses will face as we approach 2025.
Understanding today’s renewable energy challenge: The path through the energy trilemma
Page 28
Robert Brown, Senior Director, Sales & Marketing, Nikita Jayswal, Manager – Strategy & Implementation and Tobias Küter, Senior
Manager Sustainability Solutions at ENGIE Impact explore how
renewable energy offers a practical solution to the energy trilemma, balancing cost, security, and sustainability.
Kath Chapman, Managing Director at Ameresco peers into
her crystal ball.
To wait or not to wait: What businesses should do in anticipation of the
smart meter roll out
Page 32
As we enter the last quarter of the year, we already have a glimpse of key changes impacting the water industry from 2025, notably the shift to smart meters. Ben Kershaw, Wave’s Head of Metering, discusses what businesses should consider as the smart meter rollout gains momentum.
Demand flexibility –
what to look out for
this winter
Page 34
The growing opportunities in Demand Side Response (DSR)
and energy flexibility for Industrial and Commercial (I&C)
businesses are discussed by Jake Miller, Electric Assets Lead at Drax, highlighting key strategies and market changes.
Navigating the future policy landscape
Page 36
SSE Energy Solutions Director of Business Energy, Aled
Humphreys, considers what’s ahead for Energy Intensive
Industries, the Regulated Asset Base levy and Market-wide
Half-Hourly Settlement.
Photos from our Energy and Water Meeting and Networking Reception
Page 22
On the 14th November, we held an Energy and Water Meeting at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace in London, followed by our Networking Reception at the House of Lords.
Photos from Buying and Using Utilities Live, Autumn Conference and Exhibition
Page 38
On 16 October we held our Autumn Conference at Exhibtion at the AMTC, Coventry.
Supporters Directory Page 40
A to Z Directory listing of MEUC Supporters; companies that provide supply, procurement and management expertise and services. Click through for further details and to see how they can assist your energy and water strategy.
Events coming up in 2025 (click images for more details)
