E-FWD returns to Hull with energy industry on ‘knife edge of opportunity’
Leading lights from the energy industry will descend on Hull next month for an event hosted by media brand E-FWD.
‘E-FWD Hull: The knife edge of opportunity’ will feature eminent speakers including Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the hydrogen energy association, Remi Ahmed, senior associate at Pinsent Masons, Sven van den Bedem, the Humber expansion manager at the Northern Endurance Partnership and Drax director Richard Gwilliam.
The strategic briefing will be held on June 2 at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel as part of Humber Business Week.
It follows a launch in the Humber region by sister brand Energy Voice in October, when the organisation took over Hull Truck Theatre, ahead of E-FWD’s first Hull event.
From its self-styled Festival of Energy that involved evening and morning events, this time it arrives as part of Humber Business Week – working alongside Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce as part of its annual expo, and Hull-based Fred Marketing, a Humber Marine & Renewables member company.
Expert debate will examine some of the biggest issues facing the sector, with a number of key questions under the microscope, including:
- How can the UK navigate between maintaining energy security and achieving net zero ambitions?
- What policy interventions could unlock stalled projects?
- Can traditional energy companies pivot successfully to renewables, or is this work better suited to new energy specialists?
E-FWD editor Ed Reed will be in hotseat and is looking forward to a lively debate.
“Renewable energy capacity, hydrocarbon opportunities and the UK’s evolving grid economics will all be on the agenda,” he explained.
“The UK energy sector stands at a critical juncture with the government focused on decarbonisation, including Clean Power 2030. However, energy transition projects face mounting challenges.”
Mr Reed cited inflation, investor uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and grid connections as potential deal-breakers.
“As a result, major developers are scaling back investments, and a number of projects have been cut,” he said.
It all comes as the hydrocarbon sector confronts its own issues. Windfall taxes have undermined North Sea investment confidence, threatening thousands of jobs and energy security.
“Despite this domestic gas remains crucial for grid balancing and industrial needs,” Mr Reed explained.
“This panel will examine the stark choices facing energy companies, investors, and policymakers.”
For more information, or to register for the event, click here.