Contract models and their applicability to the energy transition challenge
The absence of truly workable contract models that facilitate a more balanced sharing of risk during the delivery of major energy transformation has been identified as a significant hurdle to progress with UK decarbonisation. On Wednesday 22 October 2025, BCECA joined forces with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to look at the challenge in greater detail. John Challenger from the IChemE Contracts Working Party was on hand to take participants through the history and evolution of the IChemE contracts, which are based on an ethos of co-operation, fairness and respect.
A full recording of the session, including the Q&A is available here.
Construction-driven project execution
In our second breakout session, held on Wednesday 12 November 2025, we explored how Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) can transform project delivery by aligning engineering, procurement and construction from day one. Key insights included:
- Why AWP is a proven best practice and why it still isn’t used to its full potential
- How early construction-led planning improves predictability, safety, and productivity
- The client's view on breaking down silos and driving consistent delivery
- How digital tools and data integration enable real-time visibility and smarter decision-making
- A powerful reminder that mental health is a core safety priority across our industry
Many thanks to the speakers from Fluor, Shell, Hexagon and Constructing Excellence for sharing practical experience and real project examples.
Watch the session in full here:
Reshaping the energy transformation with ABB's product portfolio
In the third breakout, held on Wednesday 25 November 2025, BCECA invited ABB's James Hetherington to outline his thoughts on how electrification, automation and digitalisation are reshaping the energy transformation and creating viable pathways for projects across hydrogen, carbon capture and emerging low-carbon industries. In this recording, James describes ABB's integrated portfolio, which spans electrical systems, automation, digital optimisation and early-phase study support.
Topics covered include:
The shift in project value drivers – from process-led design to electricity-centric systems, requiring earlier and deeper collaboration with technology providers.
Digital as an enabler – advanced energy management and real-time optimisation can reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and make hydrogen and CCS projects financially viable.
Hydrogen & Power-to-X insights – with case studies illustrating how digital twins, predictive control and renewable forecasting can lower OpEx and improve overall system efficiency.
Carbon capture challenges & solutions – how digital tools can tackle CO₂ network complexity, corrosion risks and multi-emitter cluster management, helping operators de-risk large-scale CCS deployment.
Check out the session here:
