Charting the key steps for delivering the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, from unlocking investment opportunities to creating an enabling policy environment.

Unpacking the implications for grid connections, planning, and project timelines.

In 2023/24 alone, NESO received over 1,700 applications to connect to the national electricity transmission system, leaving more projects already in the queue than are required for the energy system in 2030 – or even 2050. With applications temporarily paused to expedite the delivery of critical connection reforms, this discussion will unpack the timelines, scope and impact of this new strategic framework.

• How will the shift to ‘first ready, first connected’ affect the timeline for connecting new renewable energy projects to the grid?
• What is the true scale of ‘zombie’ projects clogging the queue?
• How will the reforms enable and encourage more rapid investment, helping to build out the grid and associated infrastructure at pace?

With the UK targeting 100% clean power by 2030, hydrogen is key to balancing the grid, decarbonizing power, and ensuring energy security. This panel explores hydrogen’s integration into the power sector, its role in replacing natural gas, and the regulatory, funding, and infrastructure updates shaping large-scale deployment.

• How does the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard impact Green Hydrogen projects?
• What are the implications of NESO’s connection reform program on project timelines and costs?
• How will DESNZ assess the market for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HAR), and what can developers expect?
• What strategies can mitigate grid bottlenecks and optimize energy procurement for hydrogen production?
• How can hydrogen help stabilize the grid alongside renewables and act as seasonal energy storage?
• What is needed to make hydrogen-to-power commercially viable?
• What support mechanisms are essential to accelerate deployment by 2030?

• What does the full hydrogen lifecycle look like including generation, transportation, storage, and power conversion?
• What unique resources support the UK hydrogen market?
• How can UK businesses take advantage of incentives and use smart strategies to reduce hydrogen costs and drive long-term growth?
• What financing strategies unlock multi-modal hydrogen projects and diverse business cases?
• How can collaboration across sectors accelerate the UK’s hydrogen transition?

• How do electrolyser cost reductions compare to the rapid decline of solar PV costs?
• What does CAPEX forecasting look like for electrolysers between now and 2030?
• If electrolysers aren’t the biggest cost driver in hydrogen projects, what is?
• What are the key degradation challenges for electrolysers, and how can they be addressed?
• What breakthroughs in materials, efficiency, and manufacturing are most critical for scaling electrolyser production?

Achieving economic competitiveness remains a critical challenge. This presentation explores policy support mechanisms and cost reduction initiatives, providing a roadmap for achieving cost parity with conventional alternatives.

• How effective are the Contracts for Difference (CfD) in reducing cost for hydrogen projects?
• What is the role of Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RFTO) in market development, and how will this progress in future years?
• How does supply chain, technology changes, and construction efficiencies influence CAPEX Optimization (with project applications)?
• What key OPEX strategies are needed to reduce the running costs of your project?

Project Union, led by National Gas, is a groundbreaking initiative that will repurpose parts of the UK’s 5,000-mile National Transmission System (NTS) and construct new pipelines to create a 1,500-mile hydrogen ‘backbone’. This hydrogen network will connect industrial clusters, hydrogen production hubs, and storage sites, supporting the decarbonisation of power generation, industry, and transport while enhancing energy security and positioning the UK as a global hydrogen leader.

This panel will explore how Project Union will enable a low-cost, scalable route to net zero, drive investment in the hydrogen economy, and ensure the UK remains competitive in the global energy transition.

• How Project Union will convert and expand the UK’s gas transmission system to transport 100% hydrogen?
• How will the backbone connect to European hydrogen networks and LNG terminals for global hydrogen trade?
• What is the role of repurposing assets, avoiding asset stranding, and minimising environmental impacts?
• How will Project Union supports the UK’s first large-scale hydrogen conversion, affecting up to 39,000 businesses by 2032?
• What is needed from government and regulators to accelerate development and secure funding?

• What revenue stacking approaches are available?
• How can asset owners balance long-term offtake agreements with the need for flexibility in business models?
• What are the most significant variances from initial projections regarding CAPEX and OPEX, and how to manage the costs whilst maintaining project viability?
• What approach should applicants take to project development when submitting HAR applications and what to look for in future rounds?
• What potential offtakers show the strongest commercial potential, and how is this influencing project design and scaling decisions?
• What are the most critical risk factors when managing green hydrogen projects, and how are these considerations are shaping interactions with investors and financial partners?

This session will begin with quick-fire presentations from each capital provider on the financing, investment and or acquisition opportunities they’re currently seeking. Capital providers have been selected to cover a range of asset classes such as wind, solar and hydrogen as well as a range of transactions sizes.

Capital providers will then host their own roundtable where delegates can attend to discuss business 1-2-1.

Whether you’re capital raising, seeking project finance, looking to sell projects and portfolios, this will be the best opportunity at the summit for delegates to identify and network with active dealmakers across the UK renewables energy scene.

As the day’s discussions end, unwind and indulge in an evening of relaxed networking at the Clean Power 2030 Drinks Reception.

Whether you’re looking to deepen existing relationships or spark new collaborations, the Solar Media Team invite you to mingle with peers and future partners in an informal and convivial environment in the heart of London.

If you are interested in sponsoring this networking opportunity, please contact the event’s sponsorship lead: Daniele Moreschi

• How should we redesign our energy systems to use surplus renewable energy for hydrogen production?
• What key factors should developers consider for green hydrogen site selection, and which locations offer the best potential for successful offtake agreements?
• How can developers create a good relationship with the public and local authorities to combat potential public opposition?
• What additional risk-sharing models can accelerate the private sector investment in hydrogen infrastructure?

• What are the key challenges and opportunities in developing large-scale hydrogen export infrastructure?
• What advancements in liquid hydrogen, ammonia, and LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers) are enabling cost-effective hydrogen exports?
• Which regions are emerging as major importers of hydrogen, and how to position yourself to meet global demand?
• What policy frameworks and international agreements are needed to streamline cross-border hydrogen trade?
• How can you develop giga-scale hydrogen production projects to meet growing export demand while ensuring cost competitiveness?

• What strategies can hydrogen developers employ to optimize electricity procurement costs, considering the energy-intensive nature of electrolysis production?
• How can developers strategically design co-location strategies that maximize the synergies between renewable energy generation and hydrogen production facilities?
• How can co-location help mitigate transmission losses and reduce grid congestion?
• How can hydrogen projects effectively balance renewable energy intermittency while maintaining consistent production capabilities?

• What economic advantages make hydrogen attractive to early adopters?
• What factors do offtakers prioritize when considering partnerships with hydrogen developers?
• Is a 15-year offtake agreement too much of a commitment?
• Should the RTFO expand beyond transport?

• How do hydrogen fuel cell vehicles compare to battery-electric options in different transport applications?
• How does a hydrogen cluster save you money?
• What unique advantages do ports and airports offer for hydrogen adoption?
• What are the key challenges in structuring agreements between multiple offtakers?
• How do you ensure a stable supply-demand balance across different users?

• Which industries have the strongest near-term business case for hydrogen adoption?
• How are industrial users (steel, cement, chemicals, etc.) incorporating hydrogen into decarbonization plans?
• What role does hydrogen play in heavy transport (trucking, rail, shipping, aviation), and how does it compare to other decarbonization solutions?
• How can offtake agreements be structured to support both large-scale buyers and emerging adopters?
• What incentives and policy mechanisms are needed to accelerate adoption?
• Lessons learned from early projects: What makes a successful hydrogen offtake deal?

• What revenue stacking approaches are available?
• How can asset owners balance long-term offtake agreements with the need for flexibility in business models?
• What are the most significant variances from initial projections regarding CAPEX and OPEX, and how to manage the costs whilst maintaining project viability?
• What approach should applicants take to project development when submitting HAR applications and what to look for in future rounds?
• What potential offtakers show the strongest commercial potential, and how is this influencing project design and scaling decisions?
• What are the most critical risk factors when managing green hydrogen projects, and how are these considerations are shaping interactions with investors and financial partners?

Europe’s hydrogen ambitions are strong, but how much of the announced capacity is translating into real-world deployment? This panel will analyse project pipeline data to assess actual production growth, regional investment trends, and the role of national hydrogen strategies in accelerating development.

• What does Europe’s hydrogen project pipeline tell us about real production capacity versus announced targets?
• What do investment trends reveal about the maturity of different markets and project scales across Europe?
• How are national hydrogen strategies and regulatory frameworks shaping project deployment rates?
• What common characteristics define successfully commissioned projects in Europe, and what lessons can be applied to new developments?

With the UK’s clean power transition at a critical juncture, this interactive Ask Me Anything (AMA) session brings together government and regulatory officials to answer your most pressing questions on the future of the energy market.

From REMA and grid reforms to planning policy and attracting investment to the UK, this session offers a unique opportunity for banks, investors, and renewable energy developers to get direct insights into the policies shaping the UK’s clean energy landscape.

Expect frank discussions, real-time Q&A, and no scripted speeches—just straight answers on the key regulatory and market shifts that will define the path to 2030.

Got a question? Email this to our team and it might be selected for our bank of pre-agreed questions.

This is your chance to challenge, clarify, and engage with the decision-makers driving the UK’s energy future.

• How does UK renewables compare to alternative asset classes (digital infrastructure, private equity, fixed income, bonds)?
• Are global asset managers and institutional investors still bullish on UK renewables post-2024 policy shifts, or has the rising cost of capital changed their risk appetite?
• How does hydrogen, solar, wind, energy storage stack up against each other as competing asset classes?
• What return expectations are investors setting for renewable energy portfolios, and how are these evolving?
• Do global asset managers and large institutional investors see opportunities to invest in UK grid and interconnectors