Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Kyle Smith.
Head of Connections.
Energy Networks Association.
Building a clean and cost-effective electricity system in the UK – updates on current policy and strategic direction
09:40 to
10:05
- Achieving Clean Power by 2030 – progress to date and next steps to successfully implement the action plan
- Updates on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements – delivering wholesale market reform to support investor certainty
- Introducing a new investment scheme to unlock long duration storage development
Speaker:
Ben Golding.
Director, Clean Power 2030 Unit.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
Insight into the new grid connection process – understanding the implications for projects already in the queue and future schemes
10:05 to
10:30
- NESO’s role in the connection process
- Reordering and aligning the existing queue with the CP30 Action Plan – how will it work in practice?
- What might happen from 2026?
Speaker:
James Norman.
Head of Connection Strategy.
National Energy System Operator.
Panel discussion: Ensuring that the reformed electricity system is ready for an increase of renewable energy demand – what further actions are needed to support this?
10:30 to
11:15
- Are current changes enough to speed up connections and overcome queue delays?
- Allowing existent projects to add capacity and maximise energy export
- Ensuring new connections reforms do not increase entry barriers for small developers
- Innovative strategies for bridging the skills gap in the industry and attract talent
- What is required beyond 2030?
Speakers:
Paul Glendinning.
Director of Energy System.
Northern Powergrid.
Anna Ai.
Managing Associate.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Speaker from.
National Grid Electricity Transmission.
Jack Presley-Abbott.
Deputy Director - Strategic Planning and Connections.
Ofgem.
Morning networking and refreshments
11:15 to
11:45
Distribution Network Operator’s perspective – issuing new connections offers and engaging with developers during the process
11:45 to
12:10
- What are DNOs’ main priorities and what do they expect when receiving applications?
- Implementing the new connection process at the distribution level
- Engaging early and strengthening collaboration with project promoters to reduce delays
Speaker:
Mark Adolphus.
Director of Connections & Sustainability.
UK Power Networks.
Case Study: securing a timely grid connection in a capacity constrained environment – lessons learned and main challenges
12:10 to
12:35
- Key considerations when preparing to submit a strong connection application
- Establishing the business case for connecting – identifying financial risks and mitigation strategies
- Effective methods for maximising available capacity on the network
- Developing flexible project timelines to navigate uncertainty
Speaker:
Dr Graham Pannell.
Head of Grid and Electricity Regulation.
BayWa r.e..
Networking Lunch
12:35 to
13:35
Planning for electricity infrastructure – what are the options and planning routes?
13:35 to
14:00
- The consenting routes available for grid infrastructure
- Ensuring you submit the right information on your application – what is required to gain consent?
- Aligning the planning and grid connection processes
Speakers:
Sarah Baillie.
Partner.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Gary Sector.
Partner.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Securing planning consent for new grid infrastructure while speeding up the process and avoiding delays
14:00 to
14:25
- Practical solutions to overcome the biggest barriers faced during planning
- Lessons learned and advice to developers – what works best?
- Best approaches to engaging with key stakeholders
Speakers:
Lara Peterson.
Technical Director, Client and Growth Lead, Infrastructure Planning.
WSP.
Speaker from.
WSP.
Delivering a resilient transmission network – where are we now and long-term plans to upgrade grid infrastructure across the UK
14:25 to
14:50
- The progress with the Great Grid Upgrade – the latest insight on planned reinforcements
- The potential and advantages of underground cables
- Enhancing grid reliability and performance during a period of high growth
- Ensuring the supply chain has sufficient capacity to deliver improvements
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:50 to
15:20
Panel discussion: Creating certainty for the sector by identifying gaps within the network and optimal locations for grid connection points
15:20 to
16:05
- Working together to define where new substations are needed the most
- Where applications have the best chance of succeeding?
- How to overcome biggest challenges when progressing projects without a connection point
- Encouraging stronger communication between key players – considering developers, DNOs and NESO
- Enabling data information sharing to inform decision making
Speakers:
Speaker from.
Island Green Power.
Speaker from.
Lightsource bp.
Paul Munday.
Head of Grid Connections.
Ethical Power.
New technologies that are facilitating faster grid connections and expanding capacity for clean power flow
16:05 to
16:30
- Implementing predictive maintenance solutions for reducing downtime and addressing grid failures
- The latest innovations for real-time data collection and analysis
- Integrating digital tools to modernise aging infrastructure
- The potential of AI to develop a smart grid
What is the potential of long duration electricity storage and how can this be maximised? – enabling grid stability
16:30 to
16:55
- Why are energy storage systems needed in the UK?
- How can electricity storage support the grid when power shortage occurs?
- Available technologies and how to integrated this into existing projects
Chair’s closing remarks
16:55 to
17:05
Close of conference and networking drinks
17:05 to
17:30