The Energy Transition is the process of transforming our current global energy systems to achieve a sustainable balance with the world, while also meeting the needs of growing economies and striving for net-zero emissions. 

This journey to net zero is intricate, involving the integration of new technologies and addressing social challenges caused by these changes. It's essential to ensure that our medium-term infrastructure supports this transition, aligning with our international commitments and legal obligations.

We’re now halfway between the Paris Agreement and 2030 and this, alongside events of the last two years, have brought the necessity of the energy transition firmly into focus. Gas and power prices have risen fivefold in a year; the cost of renewables has fallen; war in Ukraine has the sharpened focus of energy security; and we continue to see societal shifts – with a growing emphasis not only on a more sustainable future but also on a cleaner environment today. The 2023 Powering up Britain report also now demonstrates that, at government policy level, net zero and energy security are inextricably linked.

Whether it is energy via a molecule such as with hydrogen or with electrons for electrical power, changing our energy mix will have profound implications to how we transmit, store and distribute it. As a consequence, our gas and electricity grid is on the cusp of generational upgrade and expansion. To put the pace and scale needed into context, the electrical grid needs to triple in size by 2030 and be delivered at a rate that is 14 times faster than the last 30 years. 

Another challenge needs to be addressed to help drive the level of change and investment needed to achieve the transition. The current processes are simply too slow to support the pace required. The technology and engineering behind energy projects, particularly in the decarbonisation space, can evolve quicker than government policy and planning processes. An agile and timely planning system is crucial to reaching net zero on deadline.