Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference to be held online for first time (Sept 1-3)
Speakers from Ofgem, Committee on Climate Change, Scottish Government and National Grid ESO all confirmed – plus many more
The green economic recovery from coronavirus and Scotland’s net-zero target will be at the heart of discussions at Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference in September.
The event, which will be held in a virtual format for the first time, will take an in-depth look at the policies and public attitudes which underpin the UK’s new energy industry.
The event will take place over three days (Sept 1-3) and will feature speakers from business, policy, politics and the sector regulator.
Delegates will be able to take advantage of immersive networking experiences, a virtual exhibition hall and professionally-produced, broadcast-quality online sessions.
Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:
“We have experienced some unimaginable changes to our way of life in 2020. Climate change also brings deep challenges that needs us to change our behaviour as well as re-thinking how our economy runs for the sake of people across the whole world. Energy will be central to this and decarbonising our electricity, heat and transport supplies at pace is the only way we will be able to meet our net-zero goals here in Scotland and help others globally to tackle climate change.
“The past year has seen dramatic developments across all renewable energy technologies, including the re-introduction of onshore wind into the Contracts for Difference mechanism, the launch of the first offshore wind leasing round in Scottish waters for a decade and progress on the foundations to decarbonise heat at scale.
“Once again our Annual Conference will bring together speakers from across politics, regulation and industry to discuss the issues which matter most to our members: what next for renewable energy and, what next for their businesses?”
The event will be held as seven sessions over three days, with the programme available to view now online.
Highlights include:
- An opening session on how our climate change response is reshaping the energy industry, featuring Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change and Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive of Ofgem.
- A session looking at the technologies which are shifting the dial, with speakers from groundbreaking organisations Octopus Energy, PassivSystems and Piclo alongside Dr Jan Webb, Professor of Sociology of Organisations at the University of Edinburgh.
- A planning session on day three (Sept 3) where speakers from Brodies LLP, Burness Paull, RWE Renewables and the Scottish Government will wrestle with the question ‘What can we do to produce a better planning system, faster?’
Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference is headline-sponsored by EDF Renewables. CEO Matthieu Hue said:
“I’m looking forward to seeing you all online for this important event. There is definitely a lot to talk about from sharing our views on our continued COVID-19 recovery to the requirements and opportunities of reaching the all-important net zero. It will certainly be worthwhile being together at the Scottish Renewables Annual Conference.”
Scottish Renewables CEO Claire Mack added:
“As an industry body we worked with our members to support them through coronavirus, and it’s now time to reflect on the steps we need to take to make sure that renewable energy is truly at the heart of a green economic recovery from this global pandemic, as well as society’s journey to net zero.”
