Agenda: Utility Week Future Networks Conference 2026

NETWORK STRATEGY, POLICY AND INVESTMENT
9:15 AM																From strategy to delivery: NESO’s priorities for 2026 SSEPs: addressing the trade-off of local and national concerns Views on the impact of the Reformed National Pricing Delivery Plan on strategic planning How can networks and NESO work together more effectively to develop and maintain a whole energy system that meets government’s clean power ambitions? Matt Magill, Director of Engineering and Customer Solutions, NESO
9:35 AM																Ofgem’s vision for networks on the path to Clean Power 2030 and beyond An update on ED3, GD3, RIIO-GT3 planning and RESPs Ofgem’s role in ensuring a deliverable and investable network in an increasingly volatile economic and political landscape How Ofgem is guiding gas networks through a period of uncertainty Akshay Kaul, Director General for Infrastructure, Ofgem
9:55 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 Matt Magill, Director of Engineering and Customer Solutions, NESO Jon Saltmarsh, CTO, Energy Systems Catapult Mike Wilks, Partner Energy Networks, Baringa Susana Neves e Brooks, Head of Connections Strategy, Policy & Reform, National Grid Electricity Distribution
10:40 AM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

THE FUTURE OF THE GAS NETWORK
11:10 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, Energy Systems Innovation 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 Heather Sheffield, Head of Strategic Planning, Northern Gas Networks
11:50 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
12:10 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
12:30 PM																Lunch, networking and exhibition

EVOLVING ASSET MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCE
11:10 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
11:30 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
11:50 AM																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
12:10 PM																Dragons’ Den Introducing our new ‘Dragons’ Den’ quickfire solutions session, providing you with an opportunity to hear from our best-in-class partners who will deliver a 90-second pitch, designed to help you identify the latest industry innovations.
12:30 PM																Lunch, networking and exhibition

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, 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 Finance, Customer Service & Technology, UK Power Networks Michael Avant-Smith, SVP Decarbonisation & Growth, BMA Lorna Millington, Future Networks Manager, Cadent
3:00 PM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC COMMUNICATION AND INNOVATION
1:30 PM																How much value is network innovation to the customers paying for it? Making sure projects can deliver value when deployed, rolled out to BAU and commercialised Understanding where to draw the line between meaningful innovation and innovating for innovation’s sake, and how to avoid the latter Exploring best practice network innovation projects that meaningfully engage customers, build trust and understanding of benefits A peek into Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund’s new framework for greater accountability for delivery for RIIO3 and innovation beyond 2030 Jodie Giles, Programme Director, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, Innovate UK
1:55 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
2:15 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 - Net Zero Homes, Citizens Advice David Watson, Principal, BFY
3:00 PM																Refreshments, networking and exhibition

SOLVING THE DELIVERY CHALLENGE AND ACCELERATING THE WORKFORCE
3:30 PM																Quick-fire workshop: Accelerating the workforce to deliver net zero In this interactive session, delegates will split into groups to discuss how to grow the industry’s workforce to deliver the energy transition and meet net zero targets. Where is the biggest industry need for skills and workforce, e.g. asset, digital, customer service, etc.? What are the challenges in each area? Can a mutually beneficial solution be found to address workforce and supply chain needs? Is the government’s Clean Energy Workforce strategy the answer? How can we incentivise more people to learn the required skills and fill the increasing number of roles?
3:45 PM																How is the supply chain developing to support the ambitions of DESNZ and the UK government? Navigating uncertainty over the funding and delivery of long-term order requirements Aligning investment in domestic manufacturing with the need for a full workforce How more streamlined ED3 determinations are impacting supply chain planning Supply and demand currently aren’t aligning. How long can manufacturers wait before they must prioritise overseas orders? Luke Sweeney, Head of Electricity Networks Infrastructure, BEAMA
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, Head of Innovation, National Gas Simon Harrison, Clean Power Commissioner, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Ewan Rabey, Senior Procurement and Commercial Manager, SSEN Transmission
4:50 PM																Chair’s closing remarks and close of the Future Networks Conference 2026