Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | MARCH 2021 | 11 Countdown to COP continued overleaf Future topics will include: Investors How do investors view utilities' role in the net zero journey and how are they evolving their strategies to reflect this? What do they want to hear from regulators and policymakers? Are the invest- ment mechanisms in place, or proposed, fit for purpose? Flexibility and storage The role of full-chain flexibility is becoming clearer but who will be the key players and are there risks of new monopolies emerg- ing? What role does storage have to play? How do you ensure visibility of assets and total transparency of what networks are doing? What market mechanisms are needed? Decarbonisation of heat The government's support for both heat pumps and hydrogen shows it is not seeking to "pick a winner" on decarbonisation of heat. We will present deep dives into both electrification and green gas, looking at their potential and the obstacles that stand in their way. We will also look at the potential for hybrid solutions and whether there is a "third way" to decarbonising heat. The local picture We will examine how local authorities are approaching decarbon- isation. Are these local ambitions aligned with the plans of utili- ties? Are they evidence-based and achievable, and if not, does this risk undermining public buy-in for the wider climate change agenda? The role of water The part played by water in decarbonisation will run through- out our Countdown to COP coverage but we will also specifically address the sector's ambitious pledge to hit net zero by 2030. Decarbonisation of transport We will aim to take a holistic look at the evolving strategy for ramping up EV use and profile the various charging trials taking place. We will also explore the key technologies and in particular the different solutions for green HGVs. The future of regulation If the government imposes net zero duties on the regulators in 2021, what does this mean for their future role in decarbonisation and relationship with utilities companies? Workforce Our recent Build Back Better campaign highlighted the poten- tial to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs as part of the energy transition. But how will this green army be trained and onboarded, in a working world still trying to reorientate itself a'er Covid? How can the UK position itself as a global leader in nurturing talent to progress the net-zero journey? We would welcome your support and your feedback for this cam- paign. If you would like to get involved, please do get in touch at jameswallin@fav-house.com The views of the sector We asked leaders from across the utilities sector to give us their thoughts on the Count- down to COP. Here is a selection of responses to five questions posed by Utility Week: 1. What opportunities does COP26 represent for the utilities sector, and how can we capitalise on them? Will Gardiner, CEO, Drax: "COP26 in Glasgow gives us a unique opportunity to set a clear pathway to net zero emissions glob- ally. As the newly appointed US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry puts it: 'It is the last best chance the world has to come together.' It can also act as a forum in which leadership in British technologies can accel- erate efforts to tackle the climate emergency, applying our expertise to global problems. Suleman Alli, director of strategy & customer service, UK Power Networks: "As highlighted in the recent interim HM Treasury Net Zero Review, decarbonisation should be seen as an economic opportunity rather than a cost burden – the UK is in a unique position to demonstrate how a strong policy and regulatory framework will unlock £40 billion of private investment by 2030 as well as 250,000 jobs." 2. What does the UK need to achieve in the next nine months to present itself as a world leader in tackling climate change? What role can utilities play in that? John Pettigrew, CEO National Grid (JP): "In the next nine months the UK needs to bring everyone in the country on the journey to COP26, engaging with consumers on what climate change means for them, how they can play their part in tackling the issue, and engage with businesses too on the important role they have in driving this agenda. "For the utilities sector, the focus needs to be on how we turn government plans that have put the UK at the forefront of this agenda into a reality. Following on from the Energy White Paper, further details will be published this year and will be critical in providing direction and clarity on key areas such as heat decarbonisation and the future of hydrogen." Peter Simpson, CEO, Anglian (PS): "From a policy point of view we'd like to see a com- prehensive strategy to achieve the Climate Change Act's legally binding target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. And "Decarbonisa- tion should be seen as an economic opportunity rather than a cost burden" SULEMAN ALLI, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & CUSTOMER SERVICE, UK POWER NETWORKS "We need to encourage much greater awareness and conservation of water through smart metering rollout programmes and behaviour change initiatives." PETER SIMPSON, CEO, ANGLIAN WATER

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