Appreciation for Innovative Collaborations
Good morning to everyone present,
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Google for orchestrating this accelerator programme and for uniting us all today. The companies represented here are remarkable, each operating at the forefront of artificial intelligence implementation within our energy framework.
Your efforts demonstrate a clear trajectory from conceptualisation to innovation, ultimately leading to widespread adoption.
As highlighted in the programme briefing, “AI is not merely a tool, but a crucial catalyst in expediting the vital energy transition,” as stated by Google.
Even in the face of current challenges, it is essential that we do not cling to outdated perspectives.
The Evolution of the UK Electricity Grid
Historically, the UK’s electricity grid was centrally managed, relying heavily on a limited number of large coal-fired power stations to supply base load energy during predictable demand fluctuations.
However, the landscape has dramatically changed. Today, not only has the carbon intensity of the electricity grid improved, but its complexity has also increased significantly.
In March 2026, the UK achieved a milestone with over 2 million solar installations across the nation for the first time. Additionally, by 2025, there were nearly 3,000 operational offshore wind turbines across 46 wind farms, contributing up to 16.5 GW of grid-connected capacity.
The current grid is navigating millions of decentralised energy generation assets, ranging from small-scale to large-scale systems. The only viable method for managing this generation and demand in real-time is through the application of AI.
This is precisely why today’s gathering is of such significance. The programme is aligning your innovative ideas with the practical resources to bring them to fruition.
As a result, our communities and citizens stand to gain immensely.
Potential for AI in the Energy Sector
I am genuinely grateful to each of you for presenting your ideas. As the Minister responsible for AI in the energy sector, I would like to discuss some areas where we perceive considerable potential within the UK’s energy landscape.
At the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, our foremost objective is to enhance energy affordability—not only for consumers and households but also for businesses.
We recognise that AI possesses significant potential to facilitate this transformation.
The various applications I have mentioned could culminate in a singularly important outcome: a modern, reliable energy grid that provides both homes and businesses with value for their money.
However, the term “could” carries considerable weight. This potential hinges upon addressing several critical questions.
Addressing Risks and Ensuring Public Trust
First and foremost, we must seriously evaluate the risks associated with integrating more AI into our energy systems.
We find ourselves at a juncture where energy infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to disruptions from adversarial forces—a situation not confined to the UK but prevalent across Europe.
It is imperative that we do not introduce risks and vulnerabilities into our systems through untested technologies.
Secondly, we must uphold public trust. Every technological and industrial revolution has prompted societal questions regarding its implications for our way of life.
As public officials, it is our responsibility to engage with these concerns, and the public is entitled to demand clarity on our stance and actions to ensure responsible governance.
Thus, we have an obligation, both in the UK and across European nations, to design and implement the infrastructure necessary for the AI revolution responsibly…
Commitment to Future Readiness
…and, similarly to our aspirations for a clean energy revolution, we must engage communities, empowering them to benefit from this generational advancement.
Let me emphasise that citizens will not be forgiving towards governments that neglect their duty to prepare for the future.
AI is pivotal not only in modernising our energy systems but also in enabling our industries to compete on a global scale while safeguarding our national security.
These are significant challenges that we, as a government, are grappling with. The technology is evolving rapidly, and the UK government is at the forefront of efforts to harness it for the public good.
We are merely at the beginning of this journey, with much to learn in the years ahead. Allow me to outline three initiatives we are currently undertaking.
Launching the AI for Clean Energy Vision
First, we are unveiling our AI for Clean Energy Vision and soliciting input on how AI can transform our energy system.
This Vision outlines preliminary thoughts on how AI could enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and bolster energy security.
We aim to initiate a dialogue with the public, industry stakeholders, and others to explore the pressing questions we face…
…including the role of government, the long-term impacts of AI on our energy systems, how to acknowledge and mitigate associated risks, and how to identify and overcome obstacles to adoption.
The insights gathered will shape the foundation of the AI in Energy Strategy we plan to publish next year.
Independent Review and AI Adoption Strategy
Secondly, we are publishing an independent review of AI deployment in our electricity networks, for which I would like to extend my thanks to Lucy Yu, our AI Energy Champion, for her commendable work.
This review offers a series of recommendations to the government aimed at transitioning towards a probabilistic grid…
…delivering tangible benefits for consumers, establishing clear governance, and accelerating the adoption of AI solutions.
This represents an exciting frontier, pushing the boundaries of global thinking regarding AI deployment within the energy sector.
Lastly, our Interim AI Adoption Plan, released in June this year, identifies four key barriers to adoption:
better data, clearer pathways from innovation to deployment, trusted governance frameworks, and the necessary skills and capabilities to scale solutions across the system.
Opportunities for Start-ups in the Energy Sector
For start-ups present here today, these barriers also represent significant market opportunities.
Opportunities to unlock high-value datasets, enhance the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure, bridge the gap between successful pilot projects and nationwide deployment, and establish trustworthy AI systems that regulators, operators, and consumers can rely upon.
It is important to recognise that the UK starts from a position of strength.
We boast world-class universities, a vibrant technology ecosystem, and leadership in renewable energy deployment.
Moreover, we already have examples of UK companies developing exportable AI-enabled solutions for the energy sector.
Our commitment lies in preparing our energy system to embrace the AI solutions you are actively developing today.
Communicating the AI Transition to the Public
This endeavour is about exploring the potential of AI within our energy networks, enabling us to fully embrace the technology when it becomes available.
It is vital that we communicate this to the public, emphasising that we are all traversing uncharted territory.
We have a responsibility not only to formulate policy but also to elucidate the rationale behind our actions.
This marks the beginning of a new frontier in the energy sector, where AI could resolve many longstanding challenges.
Final Thoughts and Call for Innovation
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate each of you on the remarkable achievement of being here today…
…for you are on the path to addressing some of the most pressing challenges within the energy industry.
My final message is straightforward: we need your ideas, your ambition, and your readiness to tackle some of the toughest issues in our energy system.
The transition to clean power currently underway in the UK is one of the great national projects of our time.
AI can expedite this journey and has the potential to create a more affordable, equitable, and straightforward energy system for millions.
Thank you.