The energy transformation challenge - full recording now online

BCECA’s Second Annual Conference took place on Wednesday 5 October 2022.?

Delegates enjoyed a thought-provoking day of presentations and discussion examining some of the complex challenges confronting the engineering contractors who will ultimately be tasked with making net zero happen.?

Engineers are in the business of delivering technology solutions to society’s biggest challenges. We’ve been doing this for hundreds of years with a strong track record of success. However, there is arguably no bigger challenge than that presented by the need for the rapid decarbonisation of our global energy systems. I’ve always believed that given the right opportunities, and provided they aren’t being asked to turn the laws of physics upside down, engineers can find a technology solution to most problems. Inevitably things are rarely ever that simple. Delivering the next energy transformation demands a coming together of political, financial, legal, scientific, and engineering minds with a common focus on the task at hand.

Easier said than done; I hear you say, particularly at a time of economic uncertainty. Nonetheless, time is not on our side, and it was against this backdrop that BCECA put together the agenda for this year’s annual conference.

?The event featured 25 expert contributions from across the spectrum of BCECA’s membership, boosted by contributions from representatives of the UK’s major political parties, financial and legal experts, training agencies and HR specialists. The full day’s proceedings are now available online on our website.

The recording is initially available to registered participants and BCECA member companies only.?However, if you’re interested in learning more about the conference proceedings, please contact us via [email protected], and we’ll supply you with an access code.

Engineers need three things. Stability, stability and stability...        

In the closing sequence, I offered some immediate observations on the key messages that had emerged during the day. From an engineering perspective, it’s difficult to get things done without stability, and I broke this down under three broad headings:

?Policy stability

There is a pressing need to get the Energy Bill that is currently stalled in the UK parliament out of the long grass and onto the statute books. ?We need a coherent legislative framework to make things happen. BCECA will be making representations to BEIS in this regard. We know that governments are wary of picking winners, but if it doesn’t double down on supporting the delivery of decarbonisation, the UK will be the loser, and we downplay the risk of delay at our peril.

?Financial stability

?It was clear from the morning’s panel discussion that all parties must get used to being a lot more uncomfortable. This means we all must work more collaboratively to agree on mechanisms to share risk. The future for hydrogen looks promising, but we need workable off-take agreements and certainty around capital allowances. BCECA will continue to facilitate discussion with investors, financiers, and potential operators. Hydrogen may be in its infancy, but I’m confident we can help it come of age.

?Workforce stability

Skills supply at all levels is a significant obstacle to progress. I think it’s fair to say that BCECA member companies already recognise this, and some interesting solutions are being explored. That said, we need much more flexibility in our recruitment and working practices if we are going to hire and retain the people needed to get the job done. The workforce modelling for the HyNet Northwest project alone illustrated the scale of the challenge.

The opportunities for the next generation of engineers, technologists and scientists are terrific, and BCECA will press ahead in its work with young professionals – especially women and the BAME community.?

These then were my immediate thoughts, but don’t just take my word for it.?Please find some time to listen to the conversations and formulate your own conclusions and ideas for the road ahead.

Please share your thoughts on the energy transformation challenge here on the BCECA LinkedIn pages and check back regularly for the latest updates on decarbonisation developments.?Better still, why not join in the debate by getting involved with BCECA and contributing to developing our work programmes and the agenda for next year’s conference.

?We value input from all parts of the engineering contracting supply chain.