Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1141870
NETWORK / 29 / JULY/AUGUST 2019 that is lost during the operation of the gas network. But as well as tackling this, we've also been looking at reducing the carbon footprint of our operations, in - cluding our fleet and our offices. AL: The volume of carbon emit- ted in producing electricity in Britain has fallen 40 per cent in just six years. Electricity net- works were at the heart of this massive, disruptive change. HB: The UK is on a transforma- tive journey to decarbonise and at Electricity North West we have bold ambitions. We recently launched our 'Leading the North West to Zero Carbon' plan which sets out the range of initiatives and investments total - ling £63.5m, which we will make over the next four years to take a significant step on the road to achieving rapid decarbonisa - tion and help businesses and customers do the same. Q What are some of the challenges ahead as networks aim to achieve ambitious targets? PJ: The increase in energy delivered across our network is large and we already aim to List of participants: Paul Jewell (PJ), distribution system operator development manager, Western Power Distribution Jim Cardwell (JC), head of policy development, Northern Powergrid Graham Campbell (GC), head of distribution system operations, SP Energy Networks Ian Bailie (IB), network development manager, NIE Networks Ian Glover (IG), sustainability manager, Cadent Adriana Laguna (AL), senior innovation strategy manager, UK Power Networks Helen Boyle (HB), strategic decarbonisation manager Electricity North West Andrew Roper (AR), distribution system operations director, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks make more use of the exist- ing network to support this demand. Our work to develop a flexible DSO approach to our network is key in achieving these objectives. JC: In a world where more renewable generation is con- nected and as heating and transport become electrified, one of the biggest challenges is being able to anticipate those changes so that we can develop and operate our network to support this transition. A clear and stable policy environment will enable us to forecast what our customers will need from us and when we can invest in the right network locations at the right time. GC: Our energy landscape is continually evolving, as we tran- sition to a distribution system operator. As we introduce new ways of energy generation and consumption, we need to ensure the security and stability of our network remains, and if that's not through network reinforce- ment, we need to find other ways. Being flexible with how and when energy is consumed and produced means we can