Speeding up the energy transition part two
In September 2022 we hosted our Speeding up the energy transition webcast. 6 months on we’ve invited our panel back to examine the energy transition from a global perspective.
Until recently, conversations about the global energy transition centred on the growing adoption of wind and solar power. Today, renewable energy continues to proliferate, thanks to strong demand, falling costs and a host of new clean energy incentives. Yet the context surrounding the energy transition has changed.
The energy transition from hydrocarbons to renewables is at the forefront of policy debates. However, the last 18 months have shown this undertaking to be more challenging and complex than originally thought. Nuclear energy is becoming a widely accepted and viable option; some European countries are restarting coal plants and re-opening the coal markets to provide emergency energy production; and U.S. companies are sending liquified natural gas to Europe to help aid efforts there to become less energy-dependent on Russian suppliers.
Decarbonization remains central to most countries’ long-term energy vision. Yet increasingly countries are prioritizing affordability and security in the wake of the energy market disruption caused by the conflict in Europe. Some are putting decarbonization on the back burner.
Our panel of experts will further consider the energy transition from a global perspective, in light of recent events, and how financial services professionals should continue to advise and support individuals and business customers in this evolving situation.
Chair
Panellist
Kathryn Porter has broad experience of both the energy and finance sectors combining technical expertise with leadership skills and experience. She has specific expertise in the utilities, oil and gas sectors, with finance experience spanning equities and equity derivatives, debt capital markets, M&A, loans, and risk management.
Currently working as an independent consultant, Kathryn advises clients across the energy value chain on the risks and opportunities of the energy transition. Projects include negotiating route-to-market agreements, evaluating new energy investments, advising on energy procurement and risk management, and providing strategic and regulatory support. Previously she worked at Centrica, Société Générale, EDF Trading, Barclays Capital, Commerzbank and Deloitte.
Kathryn has a Master of Physics from the University of Exeter and an MBA from London Business School. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and a Council member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies.
Dr Sean Field is the Director of Policy and a Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for Energy Ethics at the University of St Andrews. He is also a member of the Centre for Responsible Banking & Finance.
Sean is an interdisciplinary scholar who has over a decade of experience researching the intersection of financial and commodity markets. Since 2018, his research has focused on how financial professionals evaluate energy, calculate risks, and integrate ESG into energy investment and lending practices.
He has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles in top-academic journals, is working on a book with New York University Press about the US hydrocarbon industry, and regularly publishes public-facing articles about UK, US, and global energy markets on The Energy Blog.
Sean also regularly contributes to local, national, and international discussions of energy, energy finance, and energy policy. His interviews, analysis and commentary have been featured by BBC Radio, The Associated Press, The Courier newspaper, The Sunday National newspaper, The Xinhua News Agency and have been reprinted by outlets such as The Washington Post.
Date
Wednesday 3rd May
Time
13:00 - 14:00 UK