Corporate Agenda: European Utility SWOTs

Table of Contents

• CATALYST
• SUMMARY
• METHODOLOGY
• ANALYSIS
  • Templates guide SWOT analyses and ensure consistency in company coverage
    • SWOT analyses are an effective tool for quick company profiling
    • Utility SWOT analyses can be broken into eight distinct issue categories
    • SWOT issues must be viewed in the context of value-chain, fuel type and market position
    • First, utilities must be placed on a sliding scale of value-chain focus
    • Second, a utility' s market position and fuel focus must be identified
    • Third, at least 30 separate issues must be reviewed to develop a utility SWOT position
  • There are four categories of internal factors to be considered in utility SWOT analyses
  • Control over network assets is a key strength for any utility
    • Higher than average operating margins are a strong indication of competitive advantages
    • The impact of inorganic growth and restructuring is entirely transaction-specific
    • Market dominance will limit growth potential in liberalising markets
  • There are four categories of external factors to be considered in utility SWOT analyses
    • Value-chain and market position determine the utility impact of changes to market fundaments
    • The impact of TPIs depends entirely on a utility' s market position
    • Some utilities are poised to benefit from new carbon-capture coal technology
    • EU regulatory change disproportionately threatens incumbent utilities
  • Responding to SWOT outcomes requires an ordering of resources and priorities
• APPENDIX
  • Further Reading
  • List of Figures
    • Figure 1: Utility SWOT analyses can be broken into eight distinct issue categories
    • Figure 2: Utility context: value-chain, fuel type and market position
    • Figure 3: Utility value chain
    • Figure 4: Fuel type and market position: examples
    • Figure 5: Utility SWOT issues
    • Figure 6: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 7: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 8: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 9: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 10: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 11: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 12: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses
    • Figure 13: Internal factors: strengths and weaknesses