Proceedings

Review of options for further market participation in bioresources

Ofwat’s duty to promote competition. “further the consumer objective to protect the interests of consumers, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition.“

• PR19 saw steps to support greater use of markets in Bioresources taken; publishing market information, separation of price controls and changes to Regulatory Accounting Guidelines to make short term trades easier
• Ofwat in October published the latest market monitoring information. Other trading parties undertake a significant proportion of transport and disposal, last year 43% and 45% of transport and disposal activity
• However bioresources treatment accounts for 70% of Bioresources activity. There are very low levels of treatment being undertaken by other trading parties, 0.8%. Ofwat highlights barriers to trade including co-digestion and calculation of charges
• Analysis undertaken to support Water 2020 identified that sludge trading could be undertaken for up to 13.5% of total treatment
• It seems likely that steps will be taken at and before PR24 to facilitate the greater use of markets. Ofwat has launched a review…