Discover insights from this year’s Utility Week Live, including the impact of GB Energy and the overall strength of the UK’s net zero push – along with concerns about political disruption
Here are some key themes from the show:
1.Green energy represents huge opportunities
Green energy is growing at 3x the rate of average growth in the UK. It’s a growth market that has the power to reduce vulnerability to international fossil fuel markets. This was part of the message from the panel ‘Can we really create a clean power system by 2030?’
The panel, which included representatives from GB Energy, NESO, Clean Power 2030, and SSEN Distribution made it clear that the UK was a real innovator in the sector. They argued that the country should be proud, but that local engagement and, ultimately, lower bills was the key to countering misinformation (like the assertion that rising bills are due to green levies and not, as is more or less the case, due to wholesale gas prices).
As an example, they discussed a hospital that built a five-megawatt solar array on a piece of land previously earmarked for alternative development. The hospital saves over £1 million a year.
2.Addressing sceptics and bridging the gaps in communities
Scepticism from the likes of Tony Blair institute and Reform were addressed. ‘The Tony Blair stuff was from a strange report that said “the cheapest is going to win out” which then advocated some things that clearly weren’t the cheapest,’ said Nick Winser of Clean Power 2030. ‘I’m very concerned that we’re moving politically from a time of climate change denial to climate change “don’t care”. I think as an industry we need to stand strongly against that. We can get to clean power 2030 or pretty close to it, I’m sure. That will be hugely valuable for customers. It’ll be cheaper, and it’s a fantastic step on the way to Net Zero – exactly the right step.’
GB Energy’s existence and potential influence has just been passed by Parliament, unlocking investment in clean power projects across the UK. The company is already backing projects though its main impact will be felt from next year, working in conjunction and supporting the private sector too.
3.‘There will be no decarbonisation of this country without distribution
Chris Burchell, Managing Director of SSEN Distribution stressed the need for further investment in modernising the UK power distribution network: ‘We’ve been spending an awful lot of time rightly in decarbonising our power generation. We’ve spent a lot on transmission, but there’s a lot more to do. If we don’t get that energy into our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals effectively, we won’t have succeeded.
‘We need to involve communities. The transition should be something we’re doing for communities and with communities. It should be community led. We’re working a lot with local authorities. There’s some really good purpose around boosting energy security and addressing climate change.’
Progress is being made, and we’re proud to be a part of it
At Re-flow Field Management, we’re proud to support the UK’s energy transformation. Whether it’s helping utilities operations keep up to date with carbon management frameworks like PAS 2080, or whether it’s the host of features and benefits found in our the end-to-end field operations solution built for companies across power, renewables, telecoms, and water.
With compliance features like smart, intuitive digital forms, instant reporting and automatic audit trails, and management benefits like asset management and remote site visibility, Re-flow’s tools are already future proofing utilities companies across the country.
Contact us on 01392 574001 and book a discovery call
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