Presidential roundtable summary: how will Great British Energy power the clean energy transition?

Reliable and affordable energy is essential for a thriving society.

But the abundance of energy that has driven human progress since the industrial revolution has come at a colossal cost to the climate and nature.

To halt this decline, “reliable and affordable” alone aren’t enough. Our energy systems must also be sustainable.

One of the current government’s first acts in 2024 was establishing Great British Energy (GBE) to increase the domestic production of clean energy.

The ICE held this roundtable with Juergen Maier, chair of GBE, to understand how the company will help deliver the UK’s ambitious target of at least 95% clean power generation by 2030.

Key discussion points

• GBE is only part of the solution. Success depends on a level of coordination, delivery, and public confidence not seen in generations.
• Building a domestic market will be a significant challenge. Design efficiencies can improve competitiveness.
• Investor and industry confidence is crucial. A credible pipeline can unlock investment and improve resilience in the supply chain.
• Public attitudes to clean energy remain mixed. Engineers can help reshape the narrative by calling out misinformation and clearly communicating the benefits.