UK Utility Challenges Discussed at Transmission & Distribution Europe in April

Copenhagen, Denmark, March 27, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The impact of the recently proposed electricity markets reform in the UK will form an important part of the high-level discussions at the upcoming Transmission & Distribution Europe and Smart Grids Europe conference and exhibition from 12-14 April in Copenhagen, Denmark. Utility experts, regulators and technology giants from all over Europe and further afield will meet at what is the leading utility forum on the continent.

Huge challenge for government and grid operators
The project director for Transmission & Distribution Europe, Aida Mezit, says: “The recently proposed UK electricity markets reform presents a huge challenge for the government and grid operators alike, as over the coming decade, the UK needs to replace a quarter of its power stations. In addition, it will require the infrastructure and market conditions for the 30% increase in renewable generation (up from 7% of today) to meet the European Union’s 2020 renewable energy target.”

She continues: “In a recent speech, the British Energy Secretary Chris Huhne confirmed that more than GBP110-billion of investment in power generation capacity and grid connections is needed by 2020 – double the investment rate of the last decade. There is an urgent need to steer the industry bias from low cost, low risk fossil fuel generation and towards renewable power, which is by many still considered costly and ineffective.”

UK policy changes to reverberate through all discussions
Transmission & Distribution and Smart Grids Europe will have a number of dedicated sessions on European Regulatory policy, the challenges of large scale renewable integration, the future of smart grids, and the impact of the UK policy changes will reverberate through all discussions and raise inevitable questions about the future of the European electricity markets.

A delegation of speakers from the UK at Transmission & Distribution Europe - high-level representatives from top utilities and energy experts – will offer their own views through presentations and interactive panel discussions, and are represented by:

· Jon Slowe, Director, Delta Energy, on Smart Grid developments with focus on micro-generation and electrical vehicles;
· Stuart Neuman, Analyst from Verdantix on market opportunities of demand-response;
· Martin Sedgwick, Head of Asset Management, ScottishPower on asset management practices for growth and optimization of resources;
· Dave Sowden, Secretary General, Micropower on policy challenges facing micro-generation;
· Jeremy Harrison, Technology Consultant, E.ON on micro-generation and supply-demand balancing;
· David Densley, Head of Sustainable Transport, Scottish and Southern Energy on financing infrastructure for electrical vehicles.

Event dates and location: 12-14 April 2011 at the Bella Center, Center Boulevard, Copenhagen.

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