Electricity North West Limited[1] is a British electricity distribution network operator, responsible for the administration and maintenance of the network, that distributes electricity to much of North West England.
 | |
| Formerly |
|
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | April 1, 1989[1] |
| Headquarters | Warrington, England, United Kingdom |
Key people | Ian Smyth (CEO) |
| Products | Electricity |
| Parent | North West Electricity Networks plc |
| Website | enwl |
In 2023 it began a £2 billion five-year investment in the region's network as part of a five-year business plan.[2] The plan was approved by the energy regulator, Ofgem.[3]
Operations
editAs the distribution network operator for much of North West England, Electricity North West owns and is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the network that distributes electricity in the region. This includes the inspection and maintenance of assets which include 8000 miles (13,000 km) of overhead lines, 27,000 miles (43,000 km) of underground cables, and 38,000 transformers.[4] Its area of operation excludes Merseyside and parts of Cheshire.[5][6][7]
Innovation
editElectricity North West's technology known as CLASS (Customer Load Active System Services) reduces demand for electricity on local distribution networks, helping manage spikes in demand nationally.[8][9] In 2022 an Ofgem panel agreed that the technology had met an exceptional threshold and stated that the technology could save customers across Great Britain more than £1bn.[10]
Background and history
editElectricity North West Limited is a private limited company registered in England and Wales. The company is ultimately owned by a consortium led by Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc; Equitix; and CNIC.[11]
The principal activity of the group is the distribution of electricity in North West England on behalf of the electricity supply companies. Customers receive their electricity bill from their suppliers who pay for use of the electricity network. Electricity North West delivers electricity to five million people, in 2.4 million properties in the North West.
The distribution network had originated as NORWEB, the state-owned North West Electricity Board from 1948 to 1990. On 19 December 2007, United Utilities Group plc sold United Utilities Electricity Limited to North West Electricity Networks (Jersey) Limited, a company advised by Colonial First State Global Asset Management and the Infrastructure Investment Group, which is advised by JP Morgan Asset Management.
United Utilities operated and maintained North West England's electricity network on behalf of Electricity North West Limited, until June 2010. On 30 June 2010, the company completed the purchase of United Utilities Electricity Services Limited (‘UUES’) from United Utilities Group PLC (‘UU’).
The purchase of UUES, which had previously been contracted to operate and maintain the network, established one group which owns, operates, manages and maintains its network. UUES was subsequently renamed Electricity North West Services Limited (‘ENWSL’). In November 2019, Equitix and power firm from Japan, Kansai Electric Power, acquired a 50% stake in ENW.[12]
In August 2024, Spanish utility company Iberdrola agreed to acquire a majority stake of 88% in ENWL for €2.5 billion, valuing the company at €5bn including debt.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b c "ELECTRICITY NORTH WEST LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 1 April 1989. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Jon (4 April 2023). "Electricity North West to invest more than £2bn in network over next five years". Business Live. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "RIIO-ED2 Final Determinations". Ofgem. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Strategic Direction Statement
- ^ "Who's my network operator?". Energy Networks Association. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Otter, Saffron (19 May 2023). "Behind UK electricity operator - subtle changes in your home and storm operation". mirror. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Welcome to SP Energy Networks". SPEnergyNetworks. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Paul, Jacob (15 December 2022). "New energy system can avoid blackout risk and slash £1bn from bills". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Ambrose, Jillian (27 October 2019). "Wait eight seconds longer for your kettle – and cut your carbon bill". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Decision for Low Carbon Network Fund's Second Tier Reward 2022". Ofgem. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Topalov, Milan (4 December 2019). "ENW sale completes as Kansai Electric-led consortium picks up remaining 50% stake". Current News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Electricity North West confirms 50% stake sale". Current. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ Lombardi, Pietro (2 August 2024). "Iberdrola to buy Britain's ENWL in $5.4 bln deal". Reuters.
- ^ "Iberdrola se impone a Engie y compra la distribuidora británica ENW por 5.000 millones" [Iberdrola beats Engie and buys the British distributor ENW for 5,000 million]. El Comercio (in Spanish). 2 August 2024.
