Powering Industry for a Flexible Renewable Energy Future

03 Mar 2026
Pearl Suite
Energy & Tech

The North of England is central to the UK’s energy transition, from offshore wind on the Humber to hydrogen innovation in Teesside and smart grid trials in Manchester. Rising demand from electrifying transport, heating and industry requires a flexible, resilient energy system.

This panel will explore how the North can lead in renewable growth, storage, grid flexibility and digital innovation. Discussions will also address how a strategic approach to planning, such as Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP), can give an area a crucial competitive advantage in attracting investment and securing a clean, secure and fair energy future. Crucially, this includes building UK sovereign capability in key clean energy supply chains, a move which reduces long-term costs and enhances national energy security, positioning the North as a blueprint for a fully decarbonised energy future.
 

Moderator
Mark Sommerfeld
Mark Sommerfeld, UK Director - Carbon Capture & Storage Association (CCSA)
Speakers
Noel Collings
Noel Collings, Head of Net Zero & Energy - West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Jeanette Whitaker
Jeanette Whitaker, Associate Science Director - UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology