Marketforce Webinar

Building generation capacity at pace, What are the challenges to meet that capacity and what will it really take to secure the UK's energy future.

Future of Utilities hosted a high‑impact webinar on Wednesday exploring one of the most urgent questions in the UK energy sector: what will it really take to build clean generation capacity at the speed the country needs? As Juliette Foster noted in her opening remarks, “decarbonisation is a necessary part of energy security” — a point underscored by recent geopolitical shocks and their effect on oil and gas prices.

Over the course of the session, panellists Suresh Bhaskar (ENGIE), Anastasios Christakis (Kweekweg Renewables) and Trevor Hutchings (Renewable Energy Association) unpacked the policy, planning and investment challenges shaping the UK’s path to Clean Power 2030.

Key Themes

1. The UK’s Clean Energy Landscape

The discussion opened with a live audience poll on the biggest barriers to meeting clean energy targets — from grid constraints to political momentum. The panel explored how global instability, including the ongoing conflict in Iran, is reshaping the UK’s net zero narrative and strengthening the case for framing clean power as a security imperative.

2. From Ambition to Delivery

Attention then turned to the practicalities of scaling infrastructure. The panel examined:

• The grid upgrades required to integrate diverse new energy sources
• The return of onshore wind and the pace of project development
• The role of nuclear, including the prospects for Sizewell C
• Supply chain and skills shortages
• The potential contribution of hydropower, geothermal and biofuels

This section highlighted the gap between targets and delivery — and the structural reforms needed to close it.

3. Attracting Capital at Scale

In the final segment, speakers addressed the investment environment. With the transition dependent on unprecedented levels of private capital, the panel explored how regulation, policy certainty and risk allocation must evolve to unlock funding at pace. Each panellist offered a closing message for policymakers, emphasising clarity, consistency and long‑term commitment.

Audience Engagement

The session concluded with a lively Q&A, reflecting strong audience interest in both the strategic and technical dimensions of the UK’s clean energy future. As Juliette noted, the aim was to leave viewers with “a clearer picture of what it will take to actually deliver on the UK’s clean energy ambitions.”