Expertise

CEPA submits cost of capital report on Heathrow H8 price control

In response to the Civil Aviation Authority’s Initial Proposals for the H8 price control for Heathrow Airport, CEPA has submitted a report on behalf of the International Air Transport Association.

Ofgem announces record number of qualified OFTO bidders

Ofgem has pre-qualified five bidders for Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) Tender Round 13 (TR13). These bidders will compete for three assets worth a combined £3.5bn.

CMA publishes Final Redetermination on PR24 price controls

The Competition and Markes Authority (CMA) today published their Final Redetermination on the PR24 price controls (2025-30) covering the water sector in England and Water.

CEPA support to Ofcom on Telecoms Access Review 2026-2031

CEPA was commissioned by Ofcom to provide an independent view of relevant betas and other weighted average cost of capital parameters in support of the Telecoms Access Review, which aims to promote competition and investment in fibre networks.

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission publishes CEPA’s WACC methodology report

CEPA has advised on an approach to estimate the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) that is suitable for regulated firms in the telecoms and other sectors.

CEPA Australia seeks to fill three key roles

CEPA is seeking senior candidates with the networks, expertise and drive to expand our existing Australian practice into new services, clients and geographies: Partner - Head of CEPA Australia; Director or Managing Consultant; and Senior Consultant or Consultant.

DESNZ publishes CEPA report on hurdle rates for electricity generation technologies

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published CEPA research and analysis on estimates of hurdle rates for a range of different electricity generation technologies.

The capacity market debate: What is the underlying market failure?

Utilities Policy, a leading peer-reviewed journal for the utilities community, has published a paper co-authored by CEPA Senior Advisor, Darryl Biggar.

Final regulations published for a forthcoming mmWave spectrum auction

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has published final regulations for a mmWave spectrum auction in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands. The approach balances competitive allocation in high density areas with first come, first served in low density areas.

An article by CEPA associated authors is published in the journal, Energy Policy

The research article "Marginal curtailment of wind and solar PV: Transmission constraints, pricing and access regimes for efficient investment", written by David Newbery and Darryl Biggar, has been published.

CEPA co-founder knighted in the King’s 2024 Birthday Honours

We congratulate Dr Keith Palmer OBE, who has been recognised for his exceptional contribution to international development.

Women in Economics: Breaking Barriers Together

CEPA Senior Consultant Charlotte Hallam joined the panel for the Women in Economics event, along with female economists from the Bank of England, KPMG and the Fraser of Allander Institute.

Consortium acts on the completed transfer of an offshore transmission link

CEPA is proud to have been part of the Smith Square Partners' Consortium that acted on the £666 million completed transfer of Moray East offshore wind farm transmission link.

Development & climate finance: is just looking at the quantum of finance sufficient?

This Viewpoint Note reports on innovative methods to scale up the financing capacity of the multilateral development banks and explores some of the new proposals, emanating from the Global South.

£573 million transfer of Triton Knoll offshore wind farm transmission link completed

Ofgem has announced its confirmation to grant an offshore transmission licence to ETEPCO (a consortium of Equitix Ltd & TEPCO Power Grid Inc).

Transfer of Hornsea Two offshore wind farm transmission link

CEPA, as part of Smith Square Partners Consortium, acts as financial adviser to Ofgem on the £1.14bn completed transfer of Hornsea Two offshore wind farm transmission link from Ørsted to Diamond Transmission Partners.

Reputation acknowledged by ranking recognition

CEPA thanks those clients, industry leaders, associates and future economists for the feedback they provided to Consultancy.uk, resulting in the firm’s high-level, 2023 ranking as one of the “Top Economics consulting firms in the UK”.

LSE students present findings about biodiversity policy

We are pleased to have supported another cohort of students undertaking the Capstone Course at the London School of Economics (LSE). 

CEPA has again been recognised as one of the UK’s leading management consultants

We are grateful for the continued positive feedback from the market, which has led to CEPA retaining its position in the Financial Times' ratings.

CEPA recognised as one of the UK’s leading management consultants

Following another year of providing high-quality advice to our clients across our core sectors, we are grateful for the positive feedback from the market, which has led to CEPA’s inclusion in the Financial Times’ independent ratings report.

CEPA collaborates to advise about the selection of offshore transmission owners (OFTOs)

Continuing our co-operation with other specialist advisors in a consortium, we are pleased to provide further expert financial and economic advice to Ofgem under a new four-year contract for offshore electricity transmission assets.

New infrastructure investment approach to benefit millions across the Pacific region

A guide for institutional investors about co-investment options in infrastructure, developed by CEPA Australia, has been published.

Final report on New Zealand’s 2020/21 base milk price calculation published

The Commerce Commission in New Zealand has published its final report following the review of Fonterra’s 2020/21 base milk price calculation.

CEPA Australia advise on asset beta and specific risk premium

We have supported the Commerce Commission, New Zealand with their regular review of the base milk price calculation.

Australian Energy Regulator considers the links between the risk-free rate & market risk premium

The AER asked us to advise on the approach to estimating the Market Risk Premium (MRP) for the 2022 review of the Rate of Return Instrument. Specifically, we were asked whether there is a relationship between the risk-free rate (RfR) and MRP.

The new Build Back Better (B3W) initiative

In light of the recent announcements from the G7 regarding the B3W initiative, we have prepared a briefing note that focuses on how G7 countries can mobilise private finance for infrastructure in lower and middle income countries.

A new approach to the financing of public infrastructure

A major impact of COVID-19 has been a significant increase in the amount of borrowing by the UK government. This will likely have reduced the fiscal headroom available to the government to deliver its desire to ‘level up’ through an expansive infrastructure programme.

African Development Bank (AfDB) launches report to support investment into the African energy sector

AfDB and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa commissioned a consortium led by CEPA, to assess the availability of local currency finance for sustainable energy projects and the obstacles developers face in tapping into local financial and capital markets.

Consortium appointed to advise on the auction of offshore electricity transmission assets

CEPA appointed as part of Smith Square Partners consortium to advise Ofgem on the TR7 auction of offshore electricity transmission assets.

CEPA director presents his network charging vision to key energy stakeholders

Speaking at DCUSA Ltd’s 2020 Strategy Day, Patrick Taylor set out his views about the future of electricity charging in GB.

Gatsby Africa asks CEPA about development finance

We were pleased to work with Gatsby Africa to consider how development finance can enable growth and transformation of agriculture.

CEPA’s expansion continues across its offices

Increasing demand for CEPA's support and advice drives a growth in consulting team numbers.

Global Infrastructure Hub publishes guidance on infrastructure banks

Guidance has been published to assist governments interested in establishing, or reforming, a national infrastructure bank or a similar financing facility.

A guidance tool for National Infrastructure Banks and related facilities

We developed a reference tool which examined areas where National Infrastructure Banks could play a catalytic role.

Mobilising finance for infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa & South Asia

Our research for DFID highlighted the need for public institutions to create bankable infrastructure projects to unlock funds available from the private sector.

Financing UK infrastructure

Our review of private financing for infrastructure contributed to the national infrastructure debate on what role the public and private sectors should have in developing...

Strategic support to the Private Infrastructure Development Group

We advised the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) to focus on addressing project development constraints and facilitate local currency finance under its new Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Authorised Push Payment scams

Working with the industry and the regulator to summarise responses to a draft code.

Senior hire to meet demand from energy companies and regulators worldwide

CEPA today welcomes Gary Keane as a director to the consulting firm’s London headquarters.

Airport capacity strategy

CEPA’s contribution to this study on delivering the future airport capacity requirements in Ireland for the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport set out the decisions Ireland has to make - and the timing - to come to a good decision on the future capacity requirements of Dublin Airport.

Expert advice on cost of capital issues in the telecoms sector

We provided expert advice to Ofcom on cost of capital issues in the telecoms sector.

Alternative approaches for setting the cost of debt

CEPA were commissioned by two UK economic regulators to look at alternative approaches that could be used in regulatory determinations for the cost of debt allowance.

Estimating a shadow value of water

CEPA were appointed by the EBRD to support them in developing estimates of an economic value of water, reflecting the full social costs of water...

Financing the Universal Postal Service

We have helped Ofcom (and previously Postcomm) think through how best to ensure that Royal Mail is able to deliver the Universal Service in a financially sustainable manner.

Thames Tideway Tunnel & the cost of capital

In 2015, Ofwat awarded the licence for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. As part of the announcement, Ofwat stated the cost of capital that will apply during the construction period of the project (the 'bid WACC') would be 2.497%.

Financial and economic analysis of Morocco’s water leakage reduction objective

CEPA was hired by the World Bank to review Morocco's submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Review of financial models for Postcomm

Postcomm asked CEPA to review two of its financial models, to improve their robustness and confidence in their results. One of the models was to be published, making it particularly important that the model was well-designed and reliable. 

CEPA supports ComReg’s Review of Weighted Average Cost of Capital in Irish Telecommunications Sector

ComReg - the Irish Telecommunications Regulator - has reviewed its approach to assessing the cost of capital, with assistance from CEPA. The consultation on the approach is now live.