Morning Session One
New government, new purpose - can we drive energy transformation harder?
The day gets underway with a keynote by former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Philip Hammond. In times of continuing economic and political uncertainty, Hammond will draw on his extensive experience in government to assess the challenges facing Keir Starmer's team and set the tone for the day's conversation.
The session continues with contributions from Enrique Cornejo of Offshore Energies UK, followed by Oliver Carter and Kaveh Ebrahimi from Fluor. Enrique will examine the UK's progress with carbon capture and consider options to shift to a market-led future for a technology that is essential for reducing industrial carbon emissions.
It is widely accepted that energy transformation projects are technically complex and expedited in challenging physical and regulatory environments. Oliver and Kaveh will explore how project developers can benefit from effective collaboration with EPC contractors who have extensive experience and knowledge in energy infrastructure project delivery.
Morning Session Two
Supply chain perspective - what's needed for effective delivery?
The energy industry supply chain is playing a crucial role in the UK's energy transformation. The supply chain encompasses a diverse range of businesses. Thousands of companies, large and small, provide the equipment and materials which make new energy infrastructure possible. Neil Golding and Rebecca Groundwater from the Energy Industries Council will facilitate a discussion with invited experts from across the engineering contracting and energy industry supply chains. What's different about today's energy transformation projects? What do the suppliers need? How can we work together more effectively?
Neil and Rebecca will tease out the urgent answers needed to make net zero a reality.
Afternoon Session Three
People & skills – how to build a thriving workplace?
The conference continues after a virtual networking lunch with a keynote from a Chief Executive (TBC) from one of the major international contracting companies in BCECA membership. The invited speaker will be asked to offer a frank assessment of the economic, legal and business realities facing the organisations which will undertake the heavy lifting required to secure the transformation of the UK’s energy economy. The engineering, procurement, and construction of the infrastructure needed for a net-zero future cannot happen without contractors. Delegates can expect an unvarnished assessment from a leading figure in the UK engineering contracting community.
One of the recurring business challenges in the UK contracting sector is the unpredictability of the skills pipeline. This is an industry dependent on people and skills. BCECA members are committed to building thriving workplaces which expand opportunities for employees and create a culture that supports productivity growth and client satisfaction. Organic P & O Solutions is an HR consultancy committed to changing the way people think, thereby maximising organisational effectiveness. Managing Director Natasha Johnson will chair a discussion panel examining the latest thinking on the recruitment and retention of key skills, as well as best practices in managing people and performance across all specialisms and competency levels.
Afternoon Session Four
Energy transformation case studies – what do we know?
Discovering lessons learned from ongoing and completed projects via case study presentations is one of the highlights of BCECA’s annual conference. We like to think we save the best until last. This year’s concluding session examines experience to date across a range of energy transformation projects. Air Products will provide an overview of progress on plans to build and operate a world-scale renewable hydrogen facility in Immingham, which will supply up to 76,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year. Development consent was granted in February 2025.
Energy transformation technology solutions provider Topsoe will look at developments and expertise in hydrogen plant optimisation. Aker will take us through their experience of designing HVDC platforms for offshore wind arrays, and Kent will present their latest work on global sustainable aviation fuels. More details will be added in the coming weeks.
N.B. All speakers and presentations are provisional and may be subject to change.
