The UK water industry is poised for change. Last month, retail competition for businesses was launched and now Ofwat are focusing on introducing greater competition and efficiency. And, in a world of increased competition where the value chain is being reconfigured, Ofwat and the water companies are now directing their gaze towards the further opportunities in the sector.

Sludge, and the ways in which the industry manages it, has long been of particular interest to many innovators in the sector especially those who wish to realise the full potential of turning it into energy. Next week John Grady, partner at law firm, Shepherd and Wedderburn will explore some of the essential market and regulatory conditions required to achieve this, when he speaks at All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy event, which takes place in Glasgow on 10 – 11 May.

John will chair the session: Energy from Waste on the second day of the event and will also deliver his own presentation: Waste water and energy in the UK – the next big bang? Here he will look at issues relating to the scope for new contracting arrangements and key risk and compliance issues. He said: “There is no doubt that reforms will lead to further innovation. There are of course regulatory and structural challenges. However as the water industry moves from a vertically integrated world, the challenge to such collaboration will not only be of a technical and regulatory nature, it will also be a cultural one.”

Shepherd and Wedderburn has a strong reputation in the water sector with a long track record in advising on a wide range of regulatory issues and major water projects, both in the UK and internationally. The firm has had a prominent role in advising on the opening up of the English water non-household retail market to competition.