The future of the UK’s energy sector
The Energy and Climate Change Conference, organised by the New Statesman, brought together industry leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss the UK’s energy sector and its future.
From the cost of carbon capture to the role of green finance, the conference offered a comprehensive look at the opportunities and challenges facing the UK’s energy transition. Here are some of the most interesting insights and discussions from the event.
Balancing innovation and practicality in clean energy
Dan McGrail, CEO of GB Energy, underscored the need for a balanced energy strategy at the conference, acknowledging in particular the challenges with carbon capture and storage (CCUS). While CCUS is often seen as a critical tool in the UK’s decarbonisation strategy, McGrail was candid about the hurdles it faces. The technology remains expensive and some projects have struggled to hit targets.
Recognising these challenges, McGrail stressed that the UK’s energy transition cannot rely solely on a single technology. Instead, he advocated for a diverse mix – including solar, wind, and battery storage – to ensure resilience and reliability and emphasised that we need to be supporting both established and emerging technologies.
This was reinforced by Dr. Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, who highlighted a striking statistic: in 2024, global investment in low-carbon energy hit a record $2.1 trillion, but just $104 million was directed towards new technologies. This clear preference for proven solutions reveals both an opportunity and a challenge for the sector. Established technologies continue to attract funding because they are seen as low risk, but this also means that innovative solutions may struggle to secure the investment they need to scale.
For developers, the takeaway is clear: innovation must be paired with credibility. Whether working with new or established technologies, projects must be positioned as secure, reliable, and capable of delivering results.
At Copper, we help clients achieve this by ensuring their projects are clearly communicated, well-understood, and aligned with both local and national priorities. Whether it’s a pioneering CCUS facility or a large-scale solar farm, our role is to help developers demonstrate value and build confidence among stakeholders, consultees and communities.
Consumer confidence is critical
A key theme running through the discussions was the importance of maintaining public support for the green transition. While 77% of Britons are worried about climate change, only 15% are “extremely worried”, according to Gráinne Regan of OVO. This indicates that while most people are supportive, their confidence can be easily shaken by negative media coverage or conflicting political messages.
The challenge for policymakers and developers is to maintain transparency and provide clear, consistent information about the benefits of going green to address public concerns. It’s not
enough to simply promote the benefits of clean energy; developers must actively engage with communities, listen to their concerns, and demonstrate how projects can provide real, tangible benefits.
Further, Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, highlighted that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also one of social justice. This means that policies need to be framed not just around sustainability but also around fairness and economic opportunity.
Interestingly, while consumers are generally supportive of climate action, many feel that the burden of transition falls too heavily on individuals rather than on systemic change. This is reflected in the impression that green policies often mean higher bills or lifestyle changes for consumers, rather than broader industry or government action.
Our role is to help our clients ensure that their messaging is relatable and highlights practical benefits rather than abstract targets.
Skills and jobs: A critical gap
Lauren Edwards MP (Labour, Rochester and Strood), the Chair of the Skills, Careers and Employment APPG, emphasised a pressing issue – the urgent need to expand the nation’s pool of skilled workers (the UK needs to double its pool of green talent by 2050).
One promising initiative is the Aberdeen and Grangemouth pilot programme, designed to transition oil and gas workers into renewable energy roles. This model demonstrates how targeted training and skills recognition can support a smooth transition for workers while maintaining industry expertise.
Another significant challenge is that skilled sustainability jobs, although in high demand, don’t necessarily pay better. This creates a disconnect between the growing demand for green workers and the attractiveness of green careers. For the transition to be successful and sustainable, there is clearly a need to align job quality with job demand.
Energy security: A multi-faceted challenge
Energy security remains a critical concern for the UK, especially given the global nature of supply chains and the impact of international trade wars. An example discussed was Germany’s dependence on China for solar panels, with 87% of its imported photovoltaic equipment coming from China. This reliance exposes Germany to significant supply chain risks, particularly during times of geopolitical tension or market disruption, and highlights the importance of the UK building a local supply chain that can withstand wider shocks.
Louis Worthington from the Climate Change Committee highlighted a similar challenge in the United States, where 80% of new green infrastructure is solar and battery storage. While this focus on renewables is positive for clean energy targets, in a world of ‘drill, baby, drill’ (!) it also means that energy systems can become vulnerable if key components are sourced from a limited number of suppliers.
The role of local authorities in emissions reduction
One insight from Elliot Chapman-Jones of the Liberal Democrats for Nature and Climate was the potential for local authorities to make a significant impact on emissions. With around one-third of emissions influenced by sectors managed at the local level, empowering councils to act
is crucial. However, local authorities often lack the resources and capacity to fully capitalise on their potential role in emissions reduction.
There was a strong call for the government to support councils more effectively, both in terms of funding and in providing clear policy frameworks. This would enable more targeted local action and help integrate climate policies into regional development plans.
Final thoughts
The conference reinforced the idea that while there is broad consensus on the need for rapid decarbonisation, there are still significant challenges ahead. The transition to a low-carbon future will require not only technological innovation but also a concerted effort to build public trust, upskill the workforce, and ensure the resilience of the UK’s energy infrastructure.
For those involved in energy and infrastructure projects, it’s evident that success hinges on effective stakeholder engagement and clear, consistent messaging. Whether addressing community concerns, engaging with policymakers, fostering constructive dialogue or demonstrating local benefits, these actions will be vital for moving projects forward in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.