Prosper Annual Lecture

“UK unnecessarily gridlocked on transition” says global energy chief 

Speaking at Prosper’s annual lecture Dr Angela Wilkinson, secretary general and CEO of the World Energy Council, called for Scotland and the UK to take a less polarised approach to the energy transition. 

Held in Aberdeen, a city which Dr Wilkinson noted had provided energy to Europe and the rest of the world for over 50 years, delegates were drawn from across the country.

The energy transition requires a mix of sources, including hydrocarbons and renewables

The World Energy Council, a global network of governments and industry leaders, first pioneered the concept of the energy ‘trilemma’ which says careful balancing is required between affordability, security and sustainability of different energy sources. As the energy industry transitions from oil and gas to clean power, Dr Wilkinson discussed ways in which the three points of this triangle can be best managed.

She said the energy transition does not eliminate trade-offs between affordability, security and sustainability: the trilemma is more important than before. Dr Wilkinson suggested that a mixed supply of different sources of energy – oil and gas, offshore fixed and floating wind, onshore wind, solar, hydrogen and nuclear – should be the approach. The future of energy “is not black and white or even green” but one of evolving trade-offs.

The energy transition will also be a social transformation that reshapes communities

She offered a systems approach to the energy transition: understanding the integrated networks of consumers and producers, developers and borrowers, operators and regulators. But more than understanding energy as a “machine”, Dr Wilkinson emphasised the importance of focusing on the “living system” made up of people and communities.

Rather than always starting from a supply-side perspective, Dr Wilkinson reminded delegates to see the energy system from the viewpoint of the end user. Managing demand will be as important a part of the energy transition as new supply sources. The consequences of the energy transition on communities was also reiterated by Donna Hutchison, CEO of Aberdeen Cyrenians and the charity partner for the annual lecture.

More dialogue on energy at home and abroad is needed for global peace

At a time of heightened international tensions with the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East sending energy prices skyrocketing, Dr Wilkinson called for energy to be the source of peace rather than conflict. But bringing together different interests and people with opposing views is needed in both domestic and international debates on energy.

Dr Wilkinson, an Oxford scholar, a former business executive and a published author, noted the particularly polarised approach to the energy transition in the UK. Remembering the energy trilemma and navigating trade-offs in relation to real world constraints offers a more effective way to conduct the debate.

Delegates left the event with a clear ask by Dr Wilkinson: we all need to be prepared to help rebalance priorities and honestly and openly discuss the real and critical trade‑offs that lie ahead.

Thank you to our partners Port of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon’s University, Peterson and Helica for generously supporting this event.