British energy group, energy generator and supplier with a tech bent
The BBC, The Scotsman and Independent report mounting energy costs amid price volatility. The government has announced VAT reductions on electricity, while CMA recommendations push regulators toward heating-oil protections and a broader shift to heat pumps and solar to shield households from price spikes.
UK households face higher energy bills this summer, prompting a surge in green upgrades. The falling cost of home batteries is identified as a major driver for savings, with industry executives describing batteries as a potential gamechanger for households and businesses.
Octopus Energy and CATL will build a European battery-swapping hub network for trucks, launching in the UK next year and expanding to 30+ sites across Europe by 2035. The system enables quick battery swaps rather than long charges, aiming to accelerate electrification of freight with potential early adoption by Chinese OEMs.
Thames Water is on the brink of a government-led rescue, with creditors pressing for a workable plan to avert a special administration regime. Reports indicate ministers may push for increased public control or even partial nationalisation, while creditors warn funding could run out by year-end without a deal.
Independent sources report Octopus Energy is pressing the incoming UK prime minister to reform the electricity market. The company says reform could save households up to £114 a year and cut billions in costs by 2050, with further savings if levies are moved to general taxation. Reform also faces a two-year timeline and potential gains for wind, batteries and interconnectors.