Is energy prepared for the future?

The author, CEO of Centrica, outlines the challenges facing the UK energy sector, including a shift from being a net gas exporter to importing over half of its requirements and the upcoming retirement of a quarter of its power generation fleet. To meet decarbonisation targets and ensure supply, an estimated £110bn investment is needed in the power sector. The author proposes a strategy based on market reform to unlock capital for low-carbon generation (wind, biomass, nuclear), international partnerships to access capital and capabilities, and innovation in both large-scale infrastructure and smart consumer technologies.

• The UK faces an 'energy trilemma' consisting of securing supply, ensuring sustainability, and maintaining affordability.
• The UK's energy security is challenged by a transition from being a net gas exporter to importing more than 50% of its gas needs, as well as the expected retirement of approximately 25% of the power generation fleet within six to seven years.
• Decarbonising the power sector and improving housing energy efficiency is estimated to require £110bn in investment for the power sector alone.
• The author identifies three primary methods for the private sector to respond to energy challenges: investment in low-carbon generation (wind, biomass, nuclear) and North Sea gas recovery, international partnerships for capital and learning, and innovation in both infrastructure and smart consumer technology.

APA

Laidlaw, S. (2012). Is energy prepared for the future? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/is-energy-prepared-for-the-future/

Chicago

Laidlaw, Sam. Is energy prepared for the future? World Economic Forum, 2012. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/is-energy-prepared-for-the-future/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Laidlaw |first1=Sam |title=Is energy prepared for the future? |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=24 August 2012 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/is-energy-prepared-for-the-future/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{laidlaw2012energy, author = {Laidlaw, Sam}, title = {{Is energy prepared for the future?}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2012}, month = aug, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/is-energy-prepared-for-the-future/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }