Voices of the future: Generation net zero

The energy industry has laid the foundations for net zero but it is the next generation of sector leaders that will be responsible for ensuring the 2050 target is achieved. From shifts in energy demand to how we deal with vulnerable customers, Covid-19 has resulted in a number of big changes this year. In our final piece, Adam John speaks to the winners of the Young Energy Professionals awards about how their generation considers the net zero challenge.

The first, second and third parts of this series are available exclusively to Utility Week members.

With just three decades to go to hit the government’s net-zero target, the clock is well and truly ticking for the energy sector to begin working on humanity’s greatest challenge. Millenials and Generation Z are widely regarded as the most climate conscious people in society and it will be this generation that will drive the energy sector towards 2050.

Meeting the net-zero target

Rajan Patel says: “If the transition needs to take place, it needs to take place quickly and it needs to take place at a large scale. Otherwise we are probably going to get complacent. We really need to start pushing these points across otherwise we could fall behind too quickly.”

Gemma Harvey-Cole agrees there is no room for complacency, adding: “I think Covid has heightened the awareness that we need to start doing something now. The air quality improvements that we have seen whilst we were in lockdown proves that there is an issue that we need to address and we need to address that now. We can’t continue in the way that we have been.

“National Grid implemented a removal of single use plastics from all offices last year which is a great thing, it’s really positive. Small things like that will help significantly but there’s so much more that we need to do. We need approximately 60,000 charging points for EVs, we need to increase the low carbon electricity generation by 50 per cent, that’s a staggering amount that we need to do in 30 years.”

“This is something we needed to start working on yesterday”, Rubina Singh insists. “There are three things that need to happen in conjunction. The first is decarbonisation, not just in the energy sector, but transport and homes. The second would be that we need more cross-sector collaboration, different industries are coming together that haven’t traditionally worked together and the third is when we create this new system it needs to take into account the change in customer needs.”

Matthew Young describes decarbonisation as “the most pressing issue our sector has to deal with”, adding: “I almost question whether 2050 as a target isn’t ambitious enough. We are going to be past the tipping point as soon as we get to that stage so it is crucial that we invest now. I think there is a need to not only invest in the infrastructure but in a way that makes this really palatable to consumers as well. It takes a while for public opinion to shift and I think we are getting there.”

New technologies

New technologies are going to be crucial in reaching the net-zero target, so the panel was asked to consider what needs to be done to encourage the take-up of EVs, smart meters, solar panels and other green measures.

The five point to how the industry will rebuild following the pandemic. The issue of diversity is raised, with a recognition that different communities need to be included within the transition in order for it to be a success.

Rodney Williams says: “Weaving this massive piece of work that we need to do around net zero into that narrative of building back better and achieving this net zero goal is something we need to focus on and be able to voice with the general public.”

He adds that the narrative around net zero needs to be adaptive and understandable, ensuring that all areas of society are on board.

He adds: “I think sometimes when we talk about net zero the conversation isn’t very inclusive. You think about a middle-class family who have just bought an EV but what are we doing to bring other people into that discussion? What are we doing for those diverse communities that don’t necessarily know about the energy industry?”

Young agrees and believes companies should work towards making new technologies as accessible as possible.

“How do we have entry level versions of solar panels, EVs and EV chargers? I don’t think we have answered these questions yet but I hope for the next five years that becomes a really key point for the sector, how we make these technologies affordable for everyone because that is going to be key for hitting those net-zero targets.”

Patel adds: “We want the public on board, we don’t want this change to be perceived as a threat because change is scary. You are changing from what was considered the norm to something new. I think if we clarify the communication, that this is a reset, it is still going to be daunting but what an amazing opportunity to try to improve your life and also the people around you.”

For Harvey-Cole, Covid has presented an opportunity to showcase that the sector can adapt to change quickly and believes it can take the lessons learned this year forward.

“We have been forced into this monumental shift. We have proved that we don’t need to commute an hour and a half on a motorway every day, having an astronomical impact on the environment. We can work remotely, we know the technologies work and are robust enough to do that. I think we need to keep taking that forward, I don’t think we should go back to the way we were.”

Singh also believes there is a growing environmental consciousness and awareness and that there is scope to encourage more innovation and new business models that will prove valuable to the public.

“It’s one thing to lower your carbon footprint but a lot of the time it’s about not exactly knowing how to do that. I think it’s about increasing that awareness that these technologies are not just good for the environment but how they integrate with your life, how they make it easier, how they save you money as well, because that is an important aspect for the public. It’s about awareness of how these technologies will actually improve your life.”