Utility Week Live 2024, 21-22 May at Birmingham’s NEC, has unveiled its biggest ever content programme, with speakers including Octopus CEO Greg Jackson and Northumbrian Water CEO Heidi Mottram, alongside a host of new features designed to unite stakeholders and support utilities as they ‘accelerate delivery’ of their pressing infrastructure and environmental commitments.
Utility Week Live head of content Charity Woodruff said: “As we enter 2024, utilities face a raft of unprecedented challenges. Energy companies have huge responsibility for delivering the transition to net zero, and rolling out infrastructure on a scale not seen for generations. Water companies are working hard to clean up the UK’s rivers and cut leakage, while digitalising their operations, cutting carbon and delivering for customers. All this against the backdrop of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the political uncertainty of an upcoming general election.
“Utility Week Live is proud to bring together hundreds of industry-leading speakers with the insight and experience to support utilities as they seek to accelerate delivery and lead the transition. We’ve had an overwhelming response to this year’s programme and are delighted to welcome a fresh and diverse line up of speakers who are shaping the future of the industry.”
Content across the stages
The Challenge Programme runs across four stages – Smart Utilities, exploring digital and data-led solutions; Sustainable Infrastructure, taking a deep dive into new construction and engineering approaches; Customer, culture & workforce, looking at new ways of interacting with people; and the all-new Energy Flexibility Stage, supporting the emerging flexibility market, a critical enabler for net zero.
Alongside the Energy Flexibility Stage, UWL24 is proud to launch the Flex Awards, showcasing and celebrating the pioneers of energy flexibility. The awards, which are now open to entries, will be handed out on the Utility Week Forum stage at the close of day one, 21 May.
UWL24 is proud to welcome speakers across the Challenge Programme including: Gordon Reid, general manager zero emissions, Scottish Water, Alexandra Kaufman, director of land, planning and external affairs, strategic infrastructure, National Grid Electricity Transmission, Rachel Skinner, chair infrastructure carbon workstream, Infrastructure Client Group and Past President ICE, Daniel Stewart, project director Project Union, National Gas, Melissa Tallack, head of intelligence and analytics, Northumbrian Water, José Davila, director of strategy and external affairs, Eo, Amy Weltevreden, head of flexibility market strategy, ESO.
In addition to the Challenge Programme, UWL24 is delighted to offer free access to the conference programme on the Utility Week Forum Keynote stage, welcoming headline speakers including National Gas CEO Jon Butterworth, as well as Greg Jackson and Heidi Mottram. Ofwat, Ofgem, IPA and many other industry leaders sharing insights into to thrive during political uncertainty, unprecedented infrastructure build and lack of consumer trust.
Innovation in action
UWL24 is the home of innovation in utilities, and once again welcomes the Spring Water Innovation Zone, where water companies’ innovation teams will be sharing their latest developments. In addition, the Innovation Stage welcomes content, case studies and updates from IGEM, Ofwat Innovation Fund, Spring, Local Government and many more partners.
In addition to the Challenge and Utility Week Forum programmes, UWL24 offers a range of opportunities for interaction and collaboration, including a series of invite-only workshops and the Collaborate Exchange programme for utilities, exploring topics including energy flexibility, open data, innovation success, supply chain and asset owner collaboration and much more.
UWL24 is also proud to announce the launch of the Local Government Pavilion, in association with SSE Networks, where local authorities from across the UK will come to share their progress on Local Area Energy Planning and engage with energy and water companies as they seek to reach their net zero goals.
UWL24 is also launching the Robo Tech Demo Zone, where visitors will have the opportunity to see the latest technologies in action.
Woodruff said: “Utility Week Live is delighted to offer its biggest and best programme yet, packed with more stages, speakers and features than ever before. It’s the unmissable show for anyone serious about utilities in the UK – we can’t wait to see you there.”
Utility Week members enjoy a host of exclusive features at Utility Week Live, including access to the members lounge with complimentary refreshment, and priority booking for Collaborate Exchange and interactive workshop sessions.
Register today to secure your free place.