Utilities named as first COP26 sponsors

National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE have been unveiled as principal sponsors for the COP26 conference.

The announcement was made simultaneously with confirmation that the three companies will work together on the Eastern Link project, which will see two 2GW HVDC subsea cables laid from Scotland to north-east England. Surveying works along the route have already started, with construction expected to begin in 2024.

The three utilities will be joined by NatWest as a principal sponsor of the UN climate conference, which will be held in Glasgow next November. All partners must commit to develop science-based decarbonisation plans.

John Pettigrew, group chief executive of National Grid, said: “It is crucial that every country, every government, every industry and every one of us works together to find ways to cut the carbon we produce. If we don’t, we will put the planet in jeopardy.”

Scottish Power chief executive Keith Anderson said: “Tackling climate change and delivering the infrastructure that will support net zero is a huge opportunity for the UK . At Scottish Power, we have recognised the opportunity this challenge holds and seized it, leading us to make the major decision two years ago to remove all coal and gas generation from our portfolio to focus solely on renewables.”

SSE’s Alistair Phillips-Davies said: “The world faces twin crises with coronavirus and climate change and we must work together if we’re to combat both.

“Strong leadership and international ambition will set the course, but it is businesses like SSE that will provide the solutions and infrastructure to decarbonise and deliver economic recovery for the long-term.”

The announcement stressed the investment plans of the three companies, all of which face a final determination from Ofgem next month.

The government said details of the sponsorship agreements would be released after the event.