Page 40 - Gi flipbook September 2018

IGEM NEWS | Regional Influences Conference

UNDER THE

INFLUENCE

Dimple Visram, IGEM UK’s vision of energy provision, local discussed the local challenges that
Marketing and Events area energy, the role of community could hinder this, including capacity,
Assistant, reports energy in the future energy system capability and awareness.
and low carbon transition planning. Next was Scott Bradley, Head of Oil
The day was facilitated by IGEM and Gas Policy with the Scottish
IN THE MOST recent instalment of President Steve Edwards, who is also government. He shared the Scottish
The Road to 2050 series, IGEM Director of Commercial and energy strategy and called for an
devoted a day to looking at how Regulation for Wales & West Utilities. integrated system that would expand
different regions have sought to First to take the stage was Graham on Scotland’s plans for a new publicly-
implement a move to a whole Edwards, Chief Executive of Wales & owned energy company by 2021. This,
systems approach to energy. West Utilities, who gave the opening he said, would be key to eradicating
On 13 July, IGEM members, address. Graham stated that there is fuel poverty in Scotland. He
government policy makers, no one-size-fits-all solution for a whole emphasised that oil and gas are still
influencers and representatives from systems approach to energy, as there vital commodities, as statistics show
regional administrations travelled to are many regional and technological that energy demand in 2016 increased
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for our variables to consider. He also by 60 per cent from 2015.
Regional Influences on the Energy suggested that while there are Following Scott, Professor Ron
Networks conference. numerous potential methods to Loveland, Energy Advisor to the
Speakers included representatives implementing a consolidated approach, Welsh government, took to the stage
from the Department for Business, they all come with uncertainty, to discuss the future for energy-
Energy and Industrial Strategy particularly when there are many related networks in Wales. Ron called
(BEIS), Bridgend County Borough challenges to overcome as an industry. for greater adaptability, suggesting
Council, Cadent, Community Energy Graham was followed by Patrick that our current system was not built
England, Energy Systems Catapult, Allcorn, Head of Local Energy at BEIS, for two-way transition. His proposal
Greater Manchester Combined who examined the UK vision of energy for a whole systems approach to
Authority, Scottish government, provision. “We’re not looking at one big, energy included a shift to a more
SGN, Wales & West Utilities and the individual network for the future, but consumer-centric business model. In
Welsh government. many smaller, integrated networks,” he this way, he echoed previous
The event opened up a number of said. Patrick examined the benefits of a sentiments about the jobs and growth
fascinating conversations regarding whole systems approach, such as benefits for local areas.
different local solutions, including the inclusive growth and retained value, and This was followed by Richard Leach,

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