coronavirus

  • Commercial and market outlook

    A look back at 2020 part 2

    As we take our first steps into 2021, we continue to look back at the biggest developments in the UK energy markets in 2020, setting us up for the significant year ahead. The COVID-19 crisis had a pronounced impact on demand and prices throughout the year. At the height of...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    A look back at 2020

    As we take our first steps into 2021, we look back at the biggest developments in the UK energy markets in 2020, setting us up for the significant year ahead. As 2019 turned into 2020, we were still waiting for the Energy White Paper (EWP), a document which had been...

  • Business supply and services

    Responses to COVID-19 boost energy suppliers’ reputations with customers

    2020 is, unfortunately, proving to be a year that we will never forget. It has been a year of change and adaptability for us all, including domestic energy suppliers, with many suppliers having had to adapt to increasing numbers of customers in distress while operating at reduced capacity and/or with...

  • Regulation and policy

    Finding best practice in Ofgem’s compliance engagement outcomes

    The past few months have involved a shake-up of the status quo for all of us, with the ramifications of COVID-19 having a disproportionate impact across society. Being an essential service, energy has been at the forefront of policy-makers minds as suppliers have sought to ensure that those most severely...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    The future of power prices: Black swans and dragon kings

    Understanding the long-term trajectory of the wholesale market is critical to new generation assets and their investment viability. Here at Cornwall Insight, we support market participants in assessing the potential outlook for wholesale power markets through our long-term market Benchmark Power Curve service. We’ve just updated our latest curves out...

  • E-mobility and low carbon

    UK plans EV recovery

    As the UK plans its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy and electric mobility sectors are set to play a key role in delivering economic rehabilitation centred on net zero. Here we discuss the outlook for the electric vehicles alongside recent policy actions made specifically to aid the sector...

  • Regulation and policy

    Back to the Future: long term vulnerability outcomes

    100 days have passed since the UK was placed into lockdown and, as the government looks to continue easing of restrictions, it’s worth reflecting on where we’ve been and start looking ahead to where we’re going. Thanks to papers from Citizens Advice and National Energy Action (NEA) we now have...

  • Home supply and services

    COVID-19-driven changes to electricity Third Party Charges

    The impact of COVID-19 on the energy sector has been a hot topic for the last few months. As we progress further into the UK’s lockdown period we are now beginning to piece together the wider picture of effects across energy Third Party Charges (TPCs). These impacts are expected to...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    CRU implements COVID-19 supply suspension scheme

    On 1 May, the CRU set out the details of its decision to implement a temporary supply suspension scheme for eligible SME electricity and gas customers due to the impact of the pandemic. It said that the unique and extraordinary circumstances of the current situation require a modification to the current approach...

  • Water

    Water sector adapts quickly to COVID-19 crisis

    The GB water sector, like almost every sector in the UK, has not escaped from the pressures posed by the COVID-19 crisis. In this article, we present the approaches taken by the respective regulators in England & Wales (Ofwat) and in Scotland (WICS), and MOSL (the market operator for England...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    FiT costs to reach all-time high amid COVID outbreak

    Energy Third Party Charges (TPCs) have certainly been in the limelight recently, and rightly so as less consumption from non-domestic sectors is resulting in a greater recovery of money from domestic households amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Several measures have been taken to date to protect domestic suppliers and consumers from...

  • Low carbon generation

    The Balancing Mechanism and BSUoS under lockdown

    The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions have severely impacted the GB energy market with demand and prices at record lows. As market conditions have drastically changed, National Grid Electricity System Operator (NG ESO) has been much in the spotlight, with the current low demand scenario providing new operational challenges....

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    BSUoS in COVID-19

    This week National Grid Electricity System Operator (“the ESO”) released its latest forecast of Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges – levied on suppliers and large generators to recover costs incurred by the ESO in managing the system on a second by second basis. In this blog we look...

  • Business supply and services

    Three key themes taking place in the TPI sector

    While discussion continues around the impacts of COVID-19 on energy suppliers, the effects have reached into all parts of the energy value chain. Here, we take a look at the impacts on the TPI sector, alongside other key developments in the TPI market, highlighted in our second quarterly update of...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    Flight of the Phoenix – could green investment point the way forward post-COVID?

    As economies around the world move from “disaster preparation” to “recovery preparation”, the low carbon and renewable sector has been earmarked as a means by which to target government support in a manner consistent with medium and long-term policy targets – such  the UK’s own net zero 2050 objectives. While...

  • Low carbon generation

    RESS-1 application closing date is further extended

    With a lot of uncertainty around the impacts of COVID-19 on global supply chains and renewable project delivery we are starting to see the effects in the Irish Energy market, notably the announcement that prequalification for the Renewable Energy Support Scheme in Ireland will be extended. In December 2019, the...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Tootsie slide: Demand drop

    Since both governments of Ireland have restricted movement in the light of COVID-19, we have observed changes to working patterns. This has subsequently resulted in a reduction and shift in demand profile for the island of Ireland. This week's blog looks at demand reduction since COVID-19 restrictions have been in...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Turn it up – responding rapidly to manage the system

    In balancing the system, we used to talk mostly about narrowing capacity margins and the need to ensure ‘headroom’. But suddenly there’s a greater need for greater consumption and the provision of ‘footroom’ during COVID-19, and potentially and also in the future. The ESO will need to procure more and...

  • Low carbon generation

    The Pain: SEM prices get low

    It is easy to forget that this weekend is Easter where a large part of the country will have a 4-day weekend.  This year the demand levels are still trending down as restrictions due to COVID-19 become ever tighter. So what will this mean for the electricity generators? This week’s...

  • Regulation and policy

    Building foundations: Improving outcomes for vulnerable customers now and in the future

    The standards of conduct in the electricity and gas supply licences set out that suppliers must ensure that “each Domestic Customer, including each Domestic Customer in a Vulnerable Situation, is treated Fairly”. This licence condition is principles-based and so exactly how each supplier interprets it is up to them. Although,...

  • Home supply and services

    From “what if?” to “what now?”

    As the UK begins its third week of lockdown, the nation’s energy sector continues to wait to see whether there will be any economic or financial support targeted specifically at end users, suppliers, network operators and fellow participants alike. Immediate issues for end users include their ability to pay their...

  • Announcement

    How we’re helping our local community during COVID-19

    Cornwall Insight recognises the importance of playing our part in supporting the wider effort to address COVID-19. That is why, aside from continuing our insights on COVID-19 to the energy market, we will be donating 5% of all revenues made from our webinar series over the coming three months to 'Norfolk Community...

  • Low carbon generation

    Lessons from a lock down

    We are all facing a new, simpler existence. For my part, I have been self-isolated for three weeks. My little flat in central London has become almost my entire existence, my days have settled into a simple routine, and I've had plenty of time to reflect. Although COVID-19 presents an...

  • Regulation and policy

    How are domestic suppliers expected to serve their customers during COVID-19?

    With the COVID-19 pandemic taking centre stage of late, here we consider how domestic suppliers are responding to the outbreak and how this could affect their day-to-day compliance. Amid the ever-mounting pressure on suppliers due to COVID-19, licensees have been promised pragmatism by the regulator in its approach to compliance....

  • Regulation and policy

    Editor’s Pick | BEIS announces new measures to protect PPM customers

    New measures are being introduced to protect prepayment meter (PPM) customers during the Covid-19 outbreak, BEIS announced on 19 March. PPM customers, who may not be able to add credit can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied. This could include nominating a third party for credit top...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    COVID-19 virus and the GB energy sector webinar

    This webinar explores our take on the emerging disruptions to the electricity and gas markets as COVID-19 tightens its grip on the UK. We highlight how the struggles of consumers in managing the virus has already caused unintended consequences for suppliers. Also, how these consequences could develop in the coming weeks...

  • Low carbon generation

    Power demand in Lockdown – Initial COVID-19 impact on the power market

    The power and gas systems are mirror images of the wider economy, entering practically every aspect of work and leisure. They naturally face challenges as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus on the way we work, travel and live. Electricity demand has reported to have fallen in...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    The 2020 oil price crash: How does it compare to previous events?

    This feature is part of our new Energy Market Watch coverage where each week we will provide insights and analysis on the latest trends in commodity markets, grid balancing and market fundamentals as the impacts of COVID-19 continue to emerge. You can sign up for the regular free update here. Brent crude oil...

  • Commercial and market outlook

    A message from our CEO

    Dear customers and partners, Covid-19 is understandably occupying widespread attention. We felt it was important to reassure you that we have a robust plan to maintain continuity of service, whilst looking after the welfare of our employees, their families and of course our customers, and to let you know how...

  • Home supply and services

    BBC Radio Norfolk interview: The drop in oil price and the potential effects on customers bills

    Craig Lowrey, one of our Senior Consultants, was live on BBC Radio Norfolk’s airwaves discussing the recent drop in oil prices, following a dispute by Russia and Saudi Arabia over reducing oil production. Craig told listeners that last Friday in response to the Coronavirus hitting global demand for oil, there...