Weekly Debrief

The deployment of technologies such as AI, big data and blockchain is leading toward enhanced grid management.

AI is rapidly emerging as a transformative force – empowering the workforce, streamlining operations and accelerating scientific discovery at a pace not seen in decades.

New data shows 1.6 million UK homes are now generating their own solar power, while the domestic market is forecast to grow eight per cent a year over the next decade

Partner Insight: The journey to net zero is long, complicated and unique for every business - however, there are three clear starting points for every single business, according to UK Green Business Awards 2025 sponsor, Ecotricity Business Every sector is in a unique position – and, within each of those sectors, every single business will be in its own unique position. In our three decades of providing green energy for the businesses of Britain, we have certainly seen the distinctive energy demands of a diverse mix of businesses. That means it is particularly difficult for businesses to know where to start when faced with one thing that every single business does have in common: a need to cut their carbon emissions. It has already been hard enough to benchmark emissions across various scopes before getting into the actual challenge of getting those emissions to net zero. We believe the obvious place to start is to look at the big hitters. Energy, transport and food are responsible for approximately 80 per cent of the typical individual's carbon footprint and that is why these are also the places for businesses to start. Here's how we've been doing that across the Green Britain Group that we are a part of. Thirty years of green energy Let's start with energy, as this was where we started when we were founded by Dale Vince OBE in 1995 and became Britain's first green energy company. We've seen the energy landscape come a long way since then; green energy has gone from being niche to mainstream. So how can you ensure your business is tackling its Scope 2 emissions most effectively by being with a truly green energy supplier? We believe there are three different levels of energy supplier: those that trade green certificates; those that trade green energy; and those building new sources of green energy. Since day one, we have been the proud flagbearer for suppliers building new sources of green energy. For our entire history, we have been British-owned and had a not-for-dividend business model, meaning we use any excess profits from our bills to build new sources of green energy – as we like to call it, ‘bills into mills'. It's seen us build 24 wind parks across Britain (home to 74 windmills) and three sun parks – and with the help of our growing customer and partner base, we're just getting started. That means that every business that is on supply with us isn't just supplied with 100 per cent renewable electricity and carbon neutralised gas, giving them net zero energy emissions. They are also helping us build the green Britain of the future. Changing the menu, changing the game Across the wider Green Britain Group, we have wanted to demonstrate that another way is possible in business operations. One of the most prominent examples of this is at Forest Green Rovers. Since taking over the club in 2010, we see a football club and community institution as a visible example of sustainable best business practice. The positive results on the pitch since 2010 have been good to see, but so have the results off the pitch; in 2018, the UN recognised Forest Green Rovers as the "greenest football club in the world". A key part of that green proposition has been being a fully vegan club since 2015. We want to demonstrate to football fans – whether they are vegan or not – how a plant-based diet isn't just better for the planet, but also tastier and more nutritious. Having won awards for our menu at Forest Green Rovers, we decided to also lead the way at Ecotricity by launching what we believe to be the UK's first fully plant-based vegan canteen. The ambition with this was to simply do what an office canteen should do – offer nutritious, tasty and affordable food to employees. By achieving these things with a vegan workplace canteen, we believe we are showcasing another, greener way for workplaces. She's electric Empowering employees to make green transport choices is the final part of this sustainability trinity. The Green Britain Group played a pivotal role in kickstarting the country's electric car revolution by establishing the Electric Highway in 2011. This was revolutionary at the time – the first national charging network for electric cars. In the 15 years since then, strong national charging infrastructure means EV uptake has accelerated. That was why we sold the Electric Highway to GRIDSERVE in 2021 as they would be able to scale up the network. It means we're now in a position where EVs are a feasible as well as a green choice both for employees and for company fleets. Businesses can empower their employees to make the sustainable transport choice by offering free EV charging for personal vehicles at the office, or with salary sacrifice schemes. The latter enables employees to lease an EV and pay for it before tax – and is something we have recently introduced for our people. And, because the greenest kWh is the one not consumed, we also operate a strong carpool network amongst our people. This just scratches the surface of how sustainability has been at the heart of the Green Britain Group's operations for three decades, but it also gives a good of the philosophy we believe businesses should take: tackle the 80 per cent issues first. Don't sweat the details until you have. Ecotricity is a partner of the UK Green Business Awards 2025.

Waste management giant unveils plans to merge recycling operations with bottle manufacturing capacity to create a circular plastics packaging business

System operator confirms plans for new grid connection timelines to prioritise renewable projects that can support clean power by 2030 goal

Insurance group claims AI-satellite solution can will help insurers, landowners, and developers track ecological change

Battery electric vehicle sales reached their highest monthly total in September, on the back of the introduction of Electric Car Grant over the summer

Construction of UK-first large-scale heat transmission system to start in 2028, with low carbon heat to be supplied from 2032

International Airlines Group among participants in Series B funding round from Oxford University green fuel spin-out

OEUK’s Data and Digital conference on Tuesday 7 October at Aberdeen’s Union Kirk has a wide-ranging programme covering aspects of digitalisation from emission analysis platforms to lessons learnt from the biotech industry. The full-day conference sponsored by the Net Zero Technology Centre kicks off with a keynote address by Russell Dalgleish from the Scottish Business […]

Full BVLOS certification enables Aker Solutions to conduct autonomous operations alongside manned helicopters and aircraft, one of the most advanced and highest risk authorisations approved by European and national civil aviation authorities. This ensures zero interference with helideck operations, airports or controlled airspace. Aker Solutions BVLOS operations are piloted remotely from an onshore control room […]

Yard managers will open crates and assemble integrated wind turbines akin to Ikea flat-packs, SeaTwirl boss says

UK Oil & Gas PLC (UKOG), through its subsidiary UK Energy Storage (UKEn), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with National Gas Transmission PLC to align future salt cavern hydrogen storage projects with Project Union, the UK’s planned 100% hydrogen pipeline system.

Sally Bailey, UK Head of Electric Vehicle Charging, Vestel Mobility As the UK accelerates its transition to electric vehicles (EVs), charging speed remains a critical factor in determining how seamlessly […]

The Industrial Hydrogen Accelerator Programme provided funding for innovation projects that can demonstrate end-to-end industrial fuel switching to hydrogen.

Special feature article from the September 2025 edition of Energy trends statistical publication.

The £10m facility includes a welding academy, advanced manufacturing zone and digital training suites

Two models from China’s BYD promise to add 250 miles of charge in five minutes

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, brought together industry experts, healthcare professionals, and technology leaders to explore the future of healthcare energy infrastructure […]

New research is making solar panels that have higher energy output and last longer that expected that help move the solar revolution forward.

Firm, founded by green energy entrepreneur Stephen Fitzpatrick, says there is “uncertainty” around plan to improve capital position Ovo Energy has cast doubt on its future as one of Great Britain’s largest domestic gas and electricity suppliers after failing to meet the regulator’s financial standards. The company, founded by the green energy entrepreneur Stephen Fitzpatrick, said in its latest financial accounts, seen by the Guardian, that there was “uncertainty” around the plan it had agreed with the regulator to improve its capital position. Continue reading...

Smart energy company GridBeyond has announced the launch of ViewPoint Lens, a new feature within its flagship platform Point. Designed to offer users deeper visibility and control, ViewPoint Lens provides customers with data on each of their assets on how they perform during demand response events, and the revenues they generate from program participation. As…

Funded by industry and the Scottish Government, the education facility is designed to train and upskill both new entrants and career changers for jobs in the booming clean energy sector

Zero emission JCB digger deployed for the first time in the UK in support of the Lower Thames Crossing project

Gusty weather drives huge amounts of wind power into the grid

This report provides recommendations on updated approaches to consider technical reliability which could be applied when determining interconnector de-rating factors in the Capacity Market.

£36 million in funding for projects to support innovation in the production of sustainable domestic biomass.

88 engineers and project managers based there will focus on upgrading the UK’s electrical grid

Regulator is to raise the government’s cap on bills on Wednesday – but it is possible to find a better deal Britons preparing to ration energy as Ofgem price cap rises, says charity ‘It’s unsustainable’: homes in Great Britain brace for winter with soaring energy debts The energy price cap for Great Britain rises on Wednesday but if you are still on your provider’s standard tariff you might yet be able to reduce your energy bills this winter by shopping around. Continue reading...