Global Energy & Utilities Forum

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates energy transition technologies will require investments of around $131 trillion by 2050. Where will the capital come from to deliver on ambitious renewable energy projects and energy efficiency programmes? 

• Increasing the involvement of private investment in projects
• Role of government in making the region and projects attractive to investors
• Making finance available to developing countries
• The growing influence of green finance and instruments such as green bonds
• Role of export credit agencies (ECAs) in supporting the development of clean energy projects
  

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is playing an increasing role in the finance sector, with regulators putting increasing attention on climate risk management and ESG criteria and banks and funds following suit. With the requirement for sustainable investment set to grow significantly in the coming years, what impact will that have on corporations and financing for energy projects?

• The growth of sustainable investment – challenges and solutions for securing sustainable capital
• Challenges companies are facing in making ESG disclosures and achieving compliance
• How are organisations adapting their operations to meet the requirements of increasing ESG criteria in securing finance?

The African continent is facing a major challenge in meeting the energy needs of its people, with close to 600 million people without access to electricity. The number rose in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, reversing some of the progress made in recent years. This panel will address the challenges facing African countries in meeting the electricity needs of their populations and the opportunities renewable resources offer to increase electrification rates.

• The role that renewable energy can play in helping meet the growing demand for power and help electrify off-grid and rural areas
• How are/can clean energy projects and programmes be financed? Role of international financial institutions in supporting the development of clean energy schemes.
• Regulatory environments – what needs to be done to ensure regulatory and policy frameworks are robust enough to attract private and international investors
• Case studies of successful delivery of clean energy projects in developing countries – what needs to be replicated and improved on to enable a ramp up of renewable energy projects in Africa

Decarbonising energy intensive industries will be critical to the success of carbon reduction programmes and net-zero targets. The UAE has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050, which is expected to require new investments of $164bn in clean and renewable energy sources. This panel will address what some of the region’s largest corporations are doing and planning to reduce their C02 footprint.

• Strategies and technologies for reducing CO2 within carbon intensive industries
• Financial support for decarbonisation
• Making sure suppliers are aligned with C02 and net-zero goals

With the integration of significant variable renewable energy resources into grids combined with a drive to increase flexibility and efficiency of electricity networks, grid operators are investing heavily in digitalising
their infrastructure to ensure stable electricity supplies and reduce operating costs.

The focus of power distribution has changed from simple generation and delivery to consumption and intelligent grids which can save, store and redistribute power where and when it is needed.

This session will focus on the digital technologies being adopted to stabilise grids and improve efficiency, the importance of accurate data collection and the increasing role of predictive maintenance in ensuring
stable and efficient networks.

• Digital technologies for stabilising grids during the energy transition
• Capex cost barrier v opex savings for digitalising electricity networks
• Rise of the “prosumer” and impacts on grid development
• Role of machine learning and artificial learning (AI) in future grids

With the growth of renewables and a drive to improve efficiency of electricity networks, digital technologies are transforming the distribution of power and providing grid customers with flexible and sustainable solutions.

Panel will discuss the changing requirements and expectations of networks and grid customers, the technologies facilitating the energy transition and the development of new consumer interfaces and solutions. 

While developing clean renewable energy resources grabs much of the energy transition media coverage, increasing the energy efficiency of infrastructure is the easiest place to start.

This panel will address some of the approaches and technologies which are being adopted by government entities and the private sector to reduce C02 emissions and opex costs.

• Reducing energy usage across residential, industrial and commercial sectors through energy audits and energy management systems
• Developing smart infrastructure role of technology in improving efficiency
• Impact of green building codes and green certification programmes on boosting energy efficiency