Who Pays for the Energy Transition? Keeping Energy Affordable, Fair and Investable

The UK is pursuing one of the world’s most ambitious energy transitions, but with some of the highest electricity prices globally and growing pressure on household bills. Delivering a secure net zero system will require major investment in grid expansion, renewables, storage, hydrogen, heat networks and potentially new nuclear. Without a credible approach to affordability and fairness, the transition risks losing public trust. This session explores how to unlock investment while protecting consumers and competitiveness.

• How should the costs of low-carbon infrastructure be shared fairly between taxpayers, bill payers and industry?
• What financing models and market reforms can accelerate deployment while preventing energy bills from rising further?
• How can government intervention- through capital support, guarantees, or risk-sharing help to crowd in private investment at scale?
• What role should utilities and investors in the energy system play in underwriting the transition, and how can returns be aligned with public value?