21st October 2025
09:30 - 11:30 UK Time
Hybrid - online and at 61 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7AR, UK
FREE TO ATTEND.
Hybrid event - attend in person at the Energy Institute office in London or join online.
Join the next UK Energy Policy Debate on the future role of gas in the UK energy system.
Chair: Simon Virley CB FEI, Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG UK
Speakers:
- James Earl, CEO, Future Energy Networks
- Dr Angela Needle FEI, Director of Strategy, Cadent Gas
- Alice Barrs, Head of Corporate Affairs UK, RWE
The role of gas in the UK's future energy mix is once again under debate. The UK Government has promised a consultation ‘this Autumn’ on gas security of supply in the 2030s. If, as expected, the Government rules out hydrogen for heating, what does that mean about the future of our gas networks, and how should they be paid for?
The recent policy paper from the UK Government on midstream gas infrastructure proposed a new model for paying for gas networks, but what should this involve? At the same time, in the power sector, questions remain about whether the UK Government will be able to hit its Clean Power 2030 targets and limit the role of gas to less than 5% of power demand by 2030 and what this would mean in technical terms for the operation of gas power plants on such low load factors.
With NESO's Future Energy Scenarios 2025 revising down the role for hydrogen compared to previous editions, but highlighting a bigger role for biomethane going forward, what does the future look like now for low-carbon gases?
Programme:
- 09:00 - Registration & networking
- 09:25 - Call to seats
- 09:30 - Opening remarks from the chair
- 09:35 - Speaker introductions & discussion:
The role of gas networks in reaching Net Zero – challenges and opportunities
James Earl, CEO, Future Energy Networks - Title: TBC
Dr Angela Needle FEI, Director of Strategy, Cadent Gas - Title: TBC
- Title: TBC
Alice Barrs, Head of Corporate Affairs UK, RWE - 10:05 - Debate session
- 10:50 - Audience Q&A
- 11:25 - Closing remarks from the chair and upcoming Energy Policy Debate
- 11:30 - Event close