A sunny Glasgow and a buoyant crowd
Last week, Laura Sutherland (Copper’s Head of Scotland) and Tom Byrne (Copper’s Renewables Lead) attended the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Glasgow, alongside colleagues from RSK Group. The event was busier than ever, with a diverse selection of exhibitors and an extensive programme of speakers throughout.
No major announcement but strong political messaging
Whilst no major announcements were made during the two days, the timing of the conference saw the GB Energy Bill complete its passage through Parliament whilst delegates gathered and prompted Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, who delivered his speech via a video, to comment on the milestone as “putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation.”
The second day of the conference also had government representation with Chris Stark CBE (Head of the UK’s Mission for Clean Power) giving his address, telling the audience “We must act now” to ensure we deliver “a once in a generation investment programme across energy storage and networks.”
Action and the pursuit of a joint mission towards clean power was a theme that echoed across the conference, in various discussions on stands and presentations. Whilst there are plenty of challenges to achieving the Clean Power 2030 objectives, it was clear that the current political will exists to continue pursuing the task.
Cancelled projects but delivery still a priority
Acknowledgement must be given to the recent decision by Orsted to cancel plans for its Hornsea 4 project. The wider discussion on job security and investment uncertainties in the offshore wind sector formed part of many discussions. The difficulties being faced by offshore developers raise questions over the viability of the CP2030 target, as the need to triple offshore wind capacity remains if we are to achieve the goal. It is this context that peppered discussions and left many who visited feeling the urgency and need to deliver if we are to remain ambitious in achieving more renewable energy generation.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, also spoke at the conference, telling delegates that her government will do “everything within our power and limit economic levers…to help de-risk investment.” She went on to say, “It’s never been more important to move forward and double down on our efforts to deliver a just transition, which takes workers with us and leaves no community behind.”
Bring everyone along on the journey
What we must be consciously doing is going out there are owning the narrative on projects, funding, and doing all we can to ensure that we are not just talking to ourselves and creating an unhelpful echo chamber.
Overall, the sunny skies over Glasgow in May seemed an appropriate reflection of the sentiments being expressed throughout the conference. Whilst challenges remain and some areas of the energy sector are certainly feeling a squeeze, the mission is clear and the aspiration to see the UK achieve its objectives seems to be holding firm.
To find out more or discuss Copper’s work in Scotland or our Renewables projects, you can contact Laura Sutherland or Tom Byrne.