Grid & Networks Conference 2024 Programme

Chair
Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Ministerial Address
Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

The last 12 months have seen seismic shifts in grid and network policy with the Winser Report, the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment Framework (ASTI) and the Holistic Network Design catalysing waves of change. This session will hear from leading industry experts on what is to come and the implications for your projects.

In this session you’ll learn:

• How these policy changes will accelerate the deployment of transmission network infrastructure
• What these changes will mean for project planning and timelines
• Where the uncertainties and risks lie
• What’s happening now and what happens next

Chair
Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Dr Simon Gill, Energy Consultant, The Energy Landscape
Alwyn Poulter, Market Development, Hitachi Energy
Greg Clarke, Head of Corporate Affairs, SSEN Transmission
Imran Mohammed, Senior Strategy Advisor, EDF Renewables

Ofgem has signed off CMP376 active queue management, DESNZ and Ofgen have a Connection Action Plan and the ESO has announced its approach to connections reform. But will these deliver the fast, reliable and secure grid connections projects need to reach FID? In this session, leading experts share their analysis of the future of the connections process.

In this session you’ll learn:

• What is changing in the grid connections process
• Who will be the winners and losers as the regime changes
• What this means for developers looking to secure a grid connection

Chair
Neil Copeland, Associate - Advisory Services, Arup 

Speakers
David Wildash, Head of Customer Connections, National Grid ESO
Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive Officier, Regen
Tessa Hall, Head of Electricity Connections, Ofgem

The topic of transmission charging has been a major point of discussion for several years with TNUoS regarded as a significant barrier to the development of renewable generation in Scotland.

For too long charging reform has been labelled too difficult and too complicated but as it becomes an existential threat to projects it is time to grab the bull by the horns and get to grips with finding a solution.

In this session you’ll learn:

• What the future of grid charging could look like
• How the costs of grid reinforcement can be met without making projects uneconomic
• The role of locational signals in a renewables-dominated system

Chair
Morag Watson, Director of Policy, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Helen Snodin, Senior Grid & Regulations Manager, Fred. Olsen Seawind
Giulia Licocci, Energy Markets & Regulation Senior Associate, Ocean Winds
Joe Dunn, Head of Grid & Regulation, ScottishPower Renewables
Harriet Harmon, Head of Electricity Transmission Charging, Ofgem

The days of ad hoc grid reinforcements and needs cases that drag on for years are gone. Grid infrastructure is the greatest threat to the achievement of net-zero and without pro-active strategic planning of grid infrastructure, the energy transition will not be achieved. It’s time for radical thinking and rapid action.

In this session, leading figures from the transmission network operators debate the Transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan – what it is and what it will do.

Chair
Professor Keith Bell, ScottishPower Chair in Smart Grids, University of Strathclyde

Speakers
Paul Wakeley, Head of Strategic Network Planning, National Grid ESO
Aileen McLeod,  Director of Business Planning and Commercial, SSEN Transmission
Gareth Hislop, Head of Market Development and Commercial Operations, SP Energy Networks

Closing Remarks
Stephen McKellar, Senior Policy Manager – Grid & Systems, Scottish Renewables