Utility Regulators: Catalysts or barriers to achieving net zero?

As the UK sharpens its focus on delivering net zero while meeting rising consumer expectations, the relationship between utility networks and regulators comes under scrutiny. To drive the energy transition and enable water network to address issues in a low carbon way, regulators must evolve their frameworks to align incentives, unlock critical investments, and ensure long-term service resilience, all while safeguarding consumer affordability and reliability. This session invites key regulators to discuss pressing questions, including: How are regulatory approaches evolving to secure necessary investment levels and foster confidence among private investors? What strategies are in place to address the increasing pressures of long-term planning, policy coherence, and generational infrastructure investment? How can planning and permitting be more efficient while still protecting nature and ecology? How are you empowering the industry to lead on innovation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation while offering long-term regulatory certainty? What role do regulators play in addressing the industry's public perception challenges and enhancing public trust in utility services?