Feeling the benefits sooner: accelerating the energy transition

I had the pleasure of giving a speech at the Future of Utilities Conference, outlining just some of the amazing things we’re doing to make sure the energy transition is a real force for good.

The event pulls together people from all aspects of the energy sector, as well as other businesses, consumer groups and industries - because ultimately what we do is so critical to the whole economy.

In opening the conference, my message was clear: our energy transition must be a force for good, addressing the climate crisis while transforming our society and economy. And we need to be in step with our customers and communities on this topic, because we’re part of a positive force for change.

I took the audience through how we’d asked more than 10,000 people around the country what they thought of net zero and the energy transition and the research showed overwhelming public support for sustainability, with many ready to make significant lifestyle changes.

Notably, younger generations are leading this charge, prioritising sustainability in their career and living choices.

However, what our polling also showed was clear frustration with the current pace of sustainable investments, and a call for more inclusive and transparent environmental governance. The public expects local communities and businesses to take substantial steps towards sustainability, including making homes and business greener, reducing the carbon impact of public buildings, and creating more green spaces.

Because of the hard work of everyone across E.ON, I was able to show some examples of the difference we’re making today - highlighting just a couple of ways we’re living up to our role as a playmaker in the energy transition and our desire to make new energy work. These included our ectogrid low-carbon network being deployed as a UK-first for the Silvertown development in east London - a pioneering technology that significantly reduces emissions and improves energy security and affordability. I also referenced our investment in the Uskmouth battery storage facility which enhances the resilience of the energy grid while creating economic opportunities; and our E.ON Next energy on subscription pilot project, which is creating sustainable energy solutions that are more accessible and affordable for homeowners.

The energy transition is about enhancing quality of life, making clean energy affordable, creating jobs, and building resilient communities. I’m proud that we have so many examples that demonstrate we’re the playmaker that’ll make the difference to society.

You can read our manifesto on the future of UK energy that we published this week.