Energy Capital Conference to take place in Birmingham

Energy Capital is the policy and delivery body for energy in the West Midlands, reporting to the Mayor. It’s a public-private partnership established by the West Midlands Combined Authority, Black Country LEP, Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP, and Coventry & Warwickshire LEP, and supported by industrial and third sector partners including Western Power Distribution, Cadent Gas, Climate KIC, the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick, BEIS, Ofgem and the Energy Systems Catapult.

It is holding its conference on November 27 at IET Birmingham, from 9am to 4.30pm.

Energy costs businesses and citizens in the West Midlands over £8bn a year. There is a consensus that energy systems can be managed better, and that regions have a critical role to play in making this change happen.

Matthew Rhodes, chairman of Energy Capita.l said: “The global energy system is changing rapidly and fundamentally. There are many opportunities in this transition, as well as many unknowns, but one of the few points most people agree on is that the role of regional and local authorities in the future energy system will increase and be much more significant and important than it is today.”

The conference will focus on understanding how regional and local government can work more effectively with national Government to play a critical role in accelerating the move to clean energy in the UK, getting the best economic, social and environmental benefits for all.

Among those speaking, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street will launch the Regional Energy Strategy in the context of the Local Industrial Strategy.

As well as looking at the challenges of the UK's energy system and opportunities in Europe, Brian Farnen, chief legal officer in the US state of Connecticut, will talk about the American experience and how his state's Green Bank is supporting development of Connecticut's energy system.

The morning sessions will be focussed around different aspects of the regional role in the energy system, and include: Energy Efficiency; Infrastructure; Innovation; and Transport.

The afternoon sessions will discuss how to strengthen the role of the regions in the UK energy system, and include: Cluster Development and Incubation; Community Energy; Infrastructure Finance Models; and Industrial Strategy and Energy Costs.

The Energy Capital Conference is intended to attract the interest of any business that manufactures or delivers energy-using products and services; energy infrastructure policy makers and regulators; universities, local authorities, utilities; the social housing sector and trade associations.

The Energy Capital Conference on 27 November is free and runs from 9am until 4.30pm. Book via https://bit.ly/2ErZIzA