Future of Utilities Summit 2026

Future of Utilities Summit 2026 brought together senior leaders from across the UK’s energy and water sectors for two days of discussion, debate, and insight into the forces reshaping resilience, digital transformation, flexibility, water security, and the future of gas. Moderated across multiple sessions by broadcaster Juliette Foster, the Summit featured keynote contributions from industry figures including Simone Rossi (CEO, EDF Energy), Sam Hancock (Global Head of Data Science, Octopus Energy), and Alistair Wildman (CEO, UK & Ireland, Palo Alto Networks).

Across five stages and a packed agenda, speakers explored the operational, technological, and strategic challenges facing utilities as they navigate a rapidly evolving system under pressure from climate change, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and shifting customer expectations.

1. Energy System Resilience and the Infrastructure Challenge

(Purple Stage – Opening Session)

The Summit opened with a strong focus on resilience — the defining theme of the decade for UK utilities. Simone Rossi’s keynote underscored the scale of the infrastructure challenge: accelerating nuclear and renewable deployment, modernising the grid, and preparing for a smarter, more complex energy system.

Key themes included:

• The shift from incremental upgrades to systemwide transformation — utilities must move beyond piecemeal improvements and embrace wholesystem redesign.
• The need for longterm investment certainty to deliver Clean Power 2030 — stable policy and regulatory clarity are essential.
• Managing intermittency in a renewablesheavy system — balancing supply and demand becomes increasingly complex.
• Balancing speed vs. stability in infrastructure buildout — rapid deployment must not compromise reliability.
• The growing importance of cyber resilience as digitalisation accelerates — security becomes a core operational priority.

The Leaders’ Forum highlighted the political, regulatory, and consumerfacing pressures shaping the transition. Speakers stressed that maintaining momentum in an increasingly politicised environment will require honesty, collaboration, and a clear narrative about the benefits of the transition.

Tackling Water Scarcity: Resilience for a Changing Climate

(Blue Stage – Water Scarcity Session)

Despite the UK’s reputation for rainfall, water scarcity is becoming a real and immediate challenge. Rising temperatures, population growth, and ageing infrastructure are placing unprecedented pressure on water networks.

Speakers explored:

• The role of desalination, water reuse, and new transfer schemes — expanding supply options for a changing climate.
• The potential of smart technology to improve leakage detection and network optimisation — digital tools can significantly reduce losses.
• The importance of public engagement in reducing consumption — behavioural change is essential.
• The need for balanced drought strategies combining demand management and new supply — resilience requires both sides of the equation.
• Barriers to deploying alternative water sources at scale — regulatory, financial, and technical constraints remain significant.

The panel emphasised that resilience requires both longterm infrastructure investment and shortterm operational interventions, supported by regulatory frameworks that enable innovation.

3. Flexibility: Unlocking a Smarter, More Responsive Energy System

(Purple Stage – Flexibility Session)

Flexibility is rapidly becoming the backbone of a decarbonised electricity system. With electrification accelerating and renewables expanding, the ability to shift, store, and intelligently manage demand is essential.

Key insights included:

• The gap between flexibility potential and actual system flexibility today — untapped value remains significant.
• The need for common functionality standards for smart devices — interoperability is essential.
• The role of AI analytics in unlocking realtime flexibility value — datadriven optimisation is transformative.
• The importance of consumer participation — and why uptake remains patchy — engagement strategies must improve.
• The future of vehicletogrid and smart charging as major flexibility resources — EVs will play a central role.
• Bottlenecks in data access, interoperability, and market design — structural barriers must be addressed.

Speakers agreed that a fully mature flexibility market will require clearer incentives, simpler customer journeys, and infrastructure capable of supporting highvolume, highspeed data flows.

4. Digital Transformation: Building the Utilities of the Future

(Purple Stage – Navigating the Digital Era)

Digital transformation emerged as a crosscutting theme across the Summit. From AI to cyber security to IT/OT convergence, utilities are grappling with the realities of modernising legacy systems while delivering reliable, secure services.

Discussions highlighted:

• The need for digital roadmaps tied directly to business priorities — technology must serve outcomes.
• The challenge of balancing innovation with legacy constraints — modernisation is complex and incremental.
• The growing cyber threat landscape as systems become more connected — risk management is critical.
• The importance of governance, leadership alignment, and workforce capability — culture determines success.
• Lessons from failed digital projects and how to rebuild confidence — transparency and learning matter.
• The question of whether policy makers undervalue digital in shaping the energy transition — digital must be recognised as core infrastructure.

Speakers stressed that the technology exists — the challenge is execution, integration, and organisational readiness.

5. The Future of Gas: Defining the Next Decade

(Green Stage – Gas Transition Session)

Gas remains central to the UK energy system, but its role is undergoing profound change. The session explored what a credible, investable, and resilient gas future looks like.

Key themes included:

• The nearterm potential of biomethane as the most deployable green gas — immediate opportunities exist.
• The role of hydrogen, CCUS, and synthetic fuels in industrial decarbonisation — longterm pathways are emerging.
• The future of legacy gas infrastructure and options for repurposing — transition planning is essential.
• The need for coordinated policy, investment frameworks, and supply chain collaboration — alignment drives progress.
• How networks must evolve to support new technologies and consumer choices — flexibility and adaptability are key.

Speakers agreed that the next decade will determine whether gas remains a valued part of the energy system or becomes a stranded asset. Clear policy signals and longterm frameworks will be essential.

6. A Sector at a Turning Point

Across two days, the Summit painted a picture of an industry undergoing profound transformation. Whether discussing AI, water scarcity, flexibility, digitalisation, or the future of gas, speakers returned to a shared message:

The future of utilities will be defined by the ability to combine technological innovation with resilience, customer engagement, and a systemwide approach to risk and investment.

With contributions from senior leaders, innovators, regulators, and technical specialists — and moderated across multiple stages by Juliette Foster — the Summit offered a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of UK utilities.