Agenda: Utility Week Future Networks Conference 2026

NETWORK STRATEGY, POLICY AND INVESTMENT
9:10 AM																Ofgem’s vision for network regulation on the path to Clean Power 2030 and beyond Settling the RIIO-3 controls and developing the design for ED3 Flexible, adaptive regulation to ensure a deliverable and investable network to support energy security, decarbonisation, and growth Ensuring safe and reliable gas networks and an orderly transition Steve McMahon, Director for Network Price Controls, Ofgem
9:30 AM																From strategy to delivery: NESO’s priorities for 2026 What's next for connections reform - and how NESO and partners are thinking about reforms to the demand pipeline Future planning - including SSEP, locally and nationally How can networks and NESO work together more effectively as part of a whole system approach to deliver secure, affordable and cleaner energy James Norman, Head of Connections Strategy, NESO
9:50 AM																PANEL DISCUSSION: Is the grid connections queue now fit for purpose? Reflecting on the process so far and what is next for connections in the UK Knock-on effects to Clean Power 2030 The impact of a rolling submissions deadline on networks’ infrastructure planning How networks can still effectively meet decarbonisation targets Jon Saltmarsh, Chief Technology Officer, Energy Systems Catapult Mike Wilks, Partner - Energy Networks, Baringa Annette Sloan, Head of Connections Reform, SSEN Transmission David Tuffery, Head of System Access Reforms, National Grid Electricity Distribution James Norman, Head of Connections Strategy, NESO
10:35 AM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

STREAM A: THE FUTURE OF THE GAS NETWORK
11:05 AM																PANEL DISCUSSION: The role of gas in the government’s net zero future What impact has the Future Energy Scenarios had on clean gas research? How will the RIIO-GT3 and GD3 outcomes affect future research and infrastructure development for biomethane and hydrogen? Where can gas better work with electricity to support a strained grid? How can we navigate the complexity of decommissioning vs repurposing? Bethany Foster, Innovation and Insights Lead, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, Innovate UK Charles McAllister, Director, Green Gas Taskforce Dr Rahmat Poudineh, Senior Research Fellow & Director of Research, Electricity Programme, The Oxford Institute for Electricity Studies Matt Hindle, Head of Net Zero and Sustainability, Wales & West Utilities
11:45 AM																Project Union: a progress report on the nation’s first core hydrogen network How has National Gas worked with other projects and stakeholders Current and future funding strategies, and project status Project Union’s key aims for the year ahead and how National Gas and its stakeholders will achieve them Dr Danielle Stewart, Programme Director - Project Union, National Gas
12:00 PM																How are European gas networks navigating decarbonisation goals? Cadent presents findings from its Memorandums of Understanding with GDRF and Italgas How they are collaborating on advanced digital solutions to further incorporate digitalisation How important a role is biomethane playing in GDRF and Italgas’ decarbonisation strategies? Nick Dagnall, Business Strategy Specialist, Cadent
12:15 PM																Managing the injection of biomethane into a variable gas network Understanding the challenge behind effectively implementing biomethane in day-to-day distribution Analysing the impact of GOLEM-ZERO on a national gas distribution network’s operations Peter Politiek, Market Specialist, Automa
12:30 PM																Questions and answers
12:40 PM																Lunch, networking and exhibition

STREAM B: EVOLVING ASSET MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE
11:05 AM																Are our assets as resilient as we think they are? Assessing UK asset vulnerability in geopolitical and environmental emergencies Evaluating the trade-off between quick ‘cheap fixes’ vs longer-term expensive work and understanding what is best on a case-by-case basis The role of network asset management in the wider energy transition Paul Killilea, Asset and Investment Director, SP Electricity North West
11:20 AM																What does a place-based approach to climate resilience look like? How do UK networks justify spend on adaptation measures? What is ‘cascading risk’, and should it be priced into adaptation decisions? The potential of coordinated investments to improve whole system resilience Nye Gordon, Director - Energy, Sustainability & Infrastructure, Guidehouse
11:35 AM																Questions and answers
11:45 AM																How can we eliminate substation fires and build more resilient future substations? What H&S measures should be put in place to maximise resilience? How can we design new substations to handle increased grid demands whilst complying with net zero goals? Ensuring regular monitoring and maintenance of substations to prevent network power cuts Christopher Bratt, Director of Asset Management, SSEN Distribution
12:00 PM																The Iberian blackouts: what happens when voltage management is overlooked Exploring how the Iberian blackouts could have been avoided and the important lessons to be learnt The importance of transparency and why performance levels shouldn't be a ‘sacred secret’ Using AI to pre-empt and deploy necessary countermeasures to prevent similar scenarios Sean McGuinness, Senior Technical Executive, EPRI Europe
12:15 PM																Unlocking hidden asset intelligence from the field with digital eyes & ears How can video intelligence capture information lost in photos and ERP forms? How can we digitise the workforce to overcome the skills shortage? Using intelligence to validate capital spend and infrastructure budgets Ancel Boucher, Global VP – Utilities, Vyntelligence
12:30 PM																Questions and answers
12:40 PM																Lunch, networking and exhibition

STREAM A: SYSTEMS PLANNING AND COLLABORATION
1:30 PM																How are RESP outcomes being incorporated into national strategy planning? How DNOs, GDNs and local authorities can correctly implement the enduring RESP methodology Key outcomes from the transitional RESP output and its impact on enduring RESP plans The role RESPs will play in SSEP plans Bridget Hartley, Head of Regional Energy Strategic Planning, NESO
1:50 PM																Project PRIDE: how LAEPs can contribute to regional planning if applied collectively How have multiple stakeholders worked together to effectively coordinate multiple LAEPs and apply them to regional energy strategic planning? What have been the key obstacles faced and how have they been overcome? What are the next steps for all stakeholders? Kate Ashworth, Head of Energy Infrastructure, Energy Capital, West Midlands Combined Authority
2:10 PM																PANEL DISCUSSION: Can cross-sector collaboration unlock the key to future strategic planning? How can gas, electricity and water work with local authorities to develop whole systems strategic plans that can accelerate project and funding approvals? Is more joined-up systems planning needed between NESO and the water industry’s new equivalent to more effectively meet decarbonisation goals? In light of the Cunliffe Review, does Ofgem need to step in and bridge the gap between gas and electricity to ensure positive cooperation going forward? The growing importance of flexible planning and its application Suleman Alli, Director of Customer Service, Strategy, Regulation & Technology, UK Power Networks Michael Avant-Smith, Senior Vice President: Decarbonisation & Growth Strategy, BMA Lorna Millington, Strategic Network Planning Manager, Cadent Jon Chappell, Head of Water Resource and planning, Water UK
3:00 PM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

STREAM B: CUSTOMER-CENTRIC COMMUNICATION AND INNOVATION
1:50 PM																No-one left behind: Project VERIFY’s society-first approach to decarbonisation Encouraging the most vulnerable sections of society to embrace flexibility and low carbon technologies (LCTs) Collecting and sharing data with various stakeholders to help them better support communities in the energy transition Identifying areas with high levels of consumer vulnerability to focus strategic investment Simon O'Loughlin, Future Networks Innovation Project Manager, SSEN Distribution
2:05 PM																AI is the answer! … Now what was the question? Challenging the tunnel vision around the application of AI What are the key business problems in customer service, and where might tech, and AI, play a role in future evolution? Exploring customer service experiences and technology from other sectors Marcus Gardiner, Client Director – Energy and Utilities, Softwire
2:20 PM																PANEL DISCUSSION: We’re now committed to the clean power journey – how can the public help us achieve network targets? How viable still is Clean Power 2030, and how important is the public’s role in helping networks achieve this? What can be done to unite communities in embracing and participating in decarbonisation projects such as unlooping, heat pumps, wind farms and net-zero terraces thus preventing delays to meeting clean power ambitions? Rising bills are the biggest source of concern. Can clean flexibility plans address this, whilst still ensuring there is enough funding for network innovation? Who should take the lead on external stakeholder communications strategies targeting public scepticism to decarbonisation? Greg Clarke, Head of Corporate Affairs, SSEN Transmission Cara Holmes, Principal Policy Manager - Regional Energy Planning, Citizens Advice David Watson, Principal, BFY David Boyer, Director, Electricity Systems, ENA Steffan Jones, Head of Economic Development, SP Electricity North West
3:05 PM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

SOLVING THE DELIVERY CHALLENGE AND ACCELERATING THE WORKFORCE
3:25 PM																How is the networks supply chain meeting the challenge of electrification? Progress on growing the UK manufacturing industry Understanding the lead times for investment in new capacity Creating the demand conditions needed to underpin investment Maximising the economic opportunity through the networks sector growth plan Luke Sweeney, Head of Electricity Networks Infrastructure, BEAMA
3:45 PM																Accelerating the workforce to deliver energy security How can learning from the Transmission Industry Skills & Workforce Planning Programme inform RIIO-ED3 workforce strategies and regulatory planning? How is the electricity transmission sector assessing current and future workforce needs, and what targeted actions is it taking to attract and retain talent Yuliya Khilko, Industry Skills & Workforce Planning Programme Manager – Strategic Infrastructure, National Grid
4:05 PM																PANEL DISCUSSION: All hands on deck to solve the delivery challenge Where are the skills gaps, and how can they be addressed to achieve Clean Power 2030 and beyond? How is DESNZ cooperating with other government departments, such as DWP and HMPPS, to address the workforce shortage? Does the government need to reassess its stance on overseas sponsorship in the energy sector, and can networks and the supply chain afford this? What are the roles that individual stakeholders must play to solve the delivery challenge, and who is ultimately responsible? Corinna Burger, Programme Director - New Molecules, National Gas Simon Harrison, Former Clean Power Commissioner & Fellow, Mott MacDonald Ewan Rabey, Senior Procurement and Commercial Manager, SSEN Transmission
4:45 PM																Chair’s closing remarks and close of the Future Networks Conference 2026