Energy Minister Michael Shanks has announced that a first of its kind comprehensive Energy Resilience Strategy will be published next year to future proof the energy system to address the evolving risks the sector faces, including climate change impacts, cyber threats and geopolitical tensions.

A memorandum of action (MoA) has been signed between trade association British Water and US innovation hub The Water Council to establish a framework of collaboration to foster innovation, business development, and global connections in the water sector.

Water sector regulator Ofwat has announced details of its £400 million Innovation Fund which will be extended for a further five years to 2030, the next five years of AMP8 - the funding is intended to support ambitious and collaborative water innovation projects.

Ofwat has released a third party report produced as a guide to the coordinated delivery of utility infrastructure – the document was published on the regulator’s website on 24^th December.

Discussion at last week’s joint ICE/CIWEM flooding and water conference in Leeds has resulted in broad agreement on the urgent need for wider collaboration on flooding.

The Institution of Civil Engineers has published an interesting policy paper on learning lessons from the cancellation of HS2’s northern leg.

The fifth round of Ofwat’s Innovation Fund Water Breakthrough Challenge has opened today, with approximately £40 million available for projects delivered in partnership with water companies in England and Wales.

The Environment Agency has completed the £40 million Lydd Ranges sea defence scheme which will see Lydd and Romney Marsh better protected from flooding for the next 25 years.

Galliford Try has launched a new arrangement with selected consultant designers that will enable water industry clients to meet their AMP8 programme objectives by having access to guaranteed levels of high-quality design engineering resource.

HUBER UK’s Engineering & Operations Director Dave Thompson takes a look at what innovation can mean in practice in the water sector – and says it’s sometimes equally innovative to apply, reconfigure and adapt existing technologies to tackle new problems and challenges.