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Energy Transition – The Challenge

The Energy Transition is the process of transforming our current global energy systems to achieve a sustainable balance with the world, while also meeting the needs of growing economies and striving for net-zero emissions. Read on as our experts highlight the challenges and how WSP are solving these challenges worldwide.

This journey to net zero is intricate, involving the integration of new technologies and addressing social challenges caused by these changes. It's essential to ensure that our medium-term infrastructure supports this transition, aligning with our international commitments and legal obligations.

There is no net zero without an energy transition – and that transition must happen at scale and pace.

We’re now halfway between the Paris Agreement and 2030 and this, alongside events of the last two years, have brought the necessity of the energy transition firmly into focus. Gas and power prices have risen fivefold in a year; the cost of renewables has fallen; war in Ukraine has the sharpened focus of energy security; and we continue to see societal shifts – with a growing emphasis not only on a more sustainable future but also on a cleaner environment today. The 2023 Powering up Britain report also now demonstrates that, at government policy level, net zero and energy security are inextricably linked.

“We must think of energy transition as a progression of interdependent strategies delivered in full and at pace.
Net zero will only be achieved through a significant increase in low carbon energy generation incorporating a mix of technologies such as hydrogen, solar, onshore and offshore wind, nuclear power and carbon capture – all supported by effective energy storage, transmission and distribution networks.”

James Rowntree

^{Director Strategic Growth & Major Projects, WSP}

Net zero is going to mean more complexity and more reliance on energy generated at a greater distance from where it is needed. How we deliver energy is equally as challenging as how we produce it.

Whether it is energy via a molecule such as with hydrogen or with electrons for electrical power, changing our energy mix will have profound implications to how we transmit, store and distribute it. As a consequence, our gas and electricity grid is on the cusp of generational upgrade and expansion. To put the pace and scale needed into context, the electrical grid needs to triple in size by 2030 and be delivered at a rate that is 14 times faster than the last 30 years.

Another challenge needs to be addressed to help drive the level of change and investment needed to achieve the transition. The current processes are simply too slow to support the pace required. The technology and engineering behind energy projects, particularly in the decarbonisation space, can evolve quicker than government policy and planning processes. An agile and timely planning system is crucial to reaching net zero on deadline.

"We’re starting to see real differences in how people and organisations look at engineering and construction solutions. There was previously inertia, and reliance on tried-and-tested approaches, but now we’re seeing change at pace and it’s exciting. We’re part of a new industrial revolution.”

Iliana Malatra

^{Regulated Networks Area Lead,}^{Humberside & Yorkshire, WSP}

Energy Transition Projects Lifecycle

We unlock value for our clients as we lead across every stage of their projects lifecycle.

Resilient and Connected Solutions

We create sustainable and connected energy systems, bringing new sources of energy to the grid and supporting the transition of existing assets.

We are moving our energy systems at pace from a relatively narrow and widely adopted technology base to one of broad based and distributed design, where resilience and dependability is achieved by adopting a more complex systems-based approach, utilising new technology that will continue to evolve as we go through the Energy Transition. In equal measure, success will also depend on societal willingness to embrace the new future as many facets of our lives from the way we heat our homes and use transportation to how we interact with the natural environment will change manifestly.

Mike Theobald Head of Discipline, Energy Transition

Mike Theobald Head of Discipline, Energy Transition

Explore our expertise within energy transition sectors.

Our Expertise

We apply our expertise across environment, science, technology, and engineering to achieve net-zero. At WSP we’re excited for the projects we’re helping clients deliver, in the UK and across the world. The energy transition requires complex and deep expertise across multiple technologies, skills and sectors – and it requires a culture of constant learning, collaboration and understanding. The levels of investment, change and delivery we will need to see over the next seven years are significant but, we believe, that with the right policies, approach and expertise they are achievable and will lead to a cleaner and more sustainable and resilient Britain.

“It is our ambition at WSP to be an integral and leading part of that transition. I’m privileged to work with almost 500 colleagues who are helping to decarbonise energy, through deep expertise across strategy, planning, delivery and the whole energy mix.”

Brian MacDonald

^{Service Line Director,}^{Renewables, WSP}

Featured Projects

WSP reappointed by UK Government to advise on CCUS programme

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) selects WSP to continue advisory work on delivery of CCUS programme.

HyNet North West hydrogen and CO2 pipelines

Planning and designing infrastructure for a pioneering clean growth project that will put the UK at the forefront of net-zero innovation.

Cory Energy

WSP is providing environmental assessment, infrastructure planning and pre-FEED engineering advice to Cory Environmental Holdings Ltd. (Cory) in their development of a proposed carbon capture project situated in Belvedere in East London.

Our Global Resources

Collaboration lies at the heart of how WSP operates. That is internally, with the ability to learn and benefit from experience in different regions and environments, but also externally, in partnership with our clients, other organisations and other countries. This approach also enables us to interlink client projects, for example facilitating shared carbon storage infrastructure within an area, leading to time and cost efficiencies. Just as no one technology will solve the transition, no one organisation or nation will solve this alone. Changing the way we produce energy means changing the way we move and store it and how we think about our grid; this will mean connecting the UK grid to other countries, for example with high voltage DC connectors, allowing us to better manage supply and demand at national, regional and global levels.

What differentiates WSP is the level of expertise and the ability to move that across the globe, underpinned by a really strong obsession with understanding our clients.
This allows us to deliver very complex projects, often completed on truly ambitious timescales.

Paul Tremble Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Director, Energy

Paul Tremble Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Director, Energy

Contact an Expert about the Energy Transition

Tony Voss

Gas & Hydrogen Director

United Kingdom

Prashant Thapar

Associate Director, Thermal Transition

United Kingdom

James Parker

Regulated Networks – Area Lead

United Kingdom

Iliana Malatra

Regulated Networks Area Lead – Yorkshire & Humberside

United Kingdom

Phil Sinclair

UK Nuclear Sector Lead

United Kingdom

Lara Peterson

Associate Director, Infrastructure Planning

United Kingdom

Ben Clarke

Regional Director - Industry

United Kingdom

Mark Salmon

Service Line Director - Networks

Kirsten Oliver

Energy Managing Director

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Energy Transition – The Challenge

There is no net zero without an energy transition – and that transition must happen at scale and pace.

James Rowntree

Director Strategic Growth & Major Projects, WSP

Net zero is going to mean more complexity and more reliance on energy generated at a greater distance from where it is needed. How we deliver energy is equally as challenging as how we produce it.

Iliana Malatra

Regulated Networks Area Lead, Humberside & Yorkshire, WSP

Energy Transition Projects Lifecycle

Resilient and Connected Solutions

Our Expertise

Brian MacDonald

Service Line Director, Renewables, WSP

Featured Projects

WSP reappointed by UK Government to advise on CCUS programme

HyNet North West hydrogen and CO2 pipelines

Cory Energy

Our Global Resources

Contact an Expert about the Energy Transition

Services

Sectors

What if you could make a real-world impact?

^{Director Strategic Growth & Major Projects, WSP}

^{Regulated Networks Area Lead,}^{Humberside & Yorkshire, WSP}

^{Service Line Director,}^{Renewables, WSP}