Powered On Electrical Review

In this thought-provoking episode of the Powered On Podcast, we delve deep into the heart of the UK's current energy conundrum, focusing on the recent government declaration that gas power plants will continue to play a critical role in the nation's electricity generation for the foreseeable future. 

With the UK committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the decision to build new gas power stations—as replacements for aging ones—has sparked a widespread debate on how to balance immediate energy security needs with long-term environmental goals.
Join us as we explore the nuances of the UK's reliance on gas amidst a push for renewable energy sources. We discuss the government's admission, highlighted by Rishi Sunak in The Daily Telegraph, that renewable energy alone cannot yet ensure a steady electricity supply, especially on "cloudy, windless days." This acknowledgment comes despite a vigorous push towards nuclear power by the UK Government in recent months.
With 32% of the UK's total power generation still coming from gas in 2023, and the oldest of the current 32 gas power stations dating back to the early 1990s, we examine the strategic importance of gas in the transitional phase towards net zero. 

Additionally, we'll discuss the Government's plans to make new gas plants "net zero ready", raising critical questions about the viability of retrofitting them with carbon capture and storage or converting them to use hydrogen fuel.

Join us as we look back at the biggest stories of 2023 and discuss the big issues that impacted the electrical industry this year. 

From grid connection delays to breakthrough recyclable wind turbine blades, and wind power overtaking gas as the UK's primary electricity source, there's a lot to talk about in this episode. 

Also we'll discuss how the UK can stay competitive in the global race for green investment and the ambitious target of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. 

Don't miss this chance to recap 2023: A Year in (Electrical) Review with the Powered On team, and we'll be back in the new year with all new episode. But for now, have a great holiday season! 

Electrical Review's Powered On podcast is back, focusing on transport electrification. The episode dives into the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK, discussing the surge in numbers and the challenges in electrifying larger vehicles like trucks.
Railway electrification is also a key topic. The slow progress and the need for more robust strategies to meet decarbonisation goals are highlighted, emphasising the Government's role in this transition.
Maritime electrification gets attention too, with discussions on reducing emissions from cruise ships through onshore power facilities. The challenges and environmental impacts of this shift are explored before we go into more detail in the next episode.
This episode of Powered On offers an overview of the electrification across various transport sectors, making it a valuable listen for anyone interested in sustainable transportation.

For more information or to share feedback, contact hello@electricalreview.co.uk.

In the latest episode of the Powered On Podcast,  we delve into the persistent skills crisis shadowing the electrical industry. Following a preliminary discussion in our previous episode, we were privileged to have Andrew Eldred, Director of Workforce and Public Affairs at the Electrical Contractors Association, share his expert insights on this pressing matter.

The current skills gap in the electrical industry has broad implications, with a recent ECA survey highlighting labor shortages as a growing concern for nearly half of the firms within the engineering services sector. The decline in employment within skilled trades between 2019 to 2021 further accentuates the crisis.
We explore the possible myriad of factors that could be contributing to this shortfall, such as the ripple effects of Brexit, the pandemic, and a notable generational gap in the industry. The demographic challenge is stark, with the average age of an engineer in the UK being 55, spotlighting an imminent crisis as a significant portion of the workforce approaches retirement.

Discussing potential remedies, the episode examines proposals from the IET for National Curriculum reform to foster early interest in engineering careers, as well as making Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses more accessible for industry professionals amidst their demanding schedules.

Be sure to tune into this enlightening episode of the Powered On Podcast to garner a deeper understanding of the skills crisis and explore the pathway towards a more electrified and skilled future in the electrical industry.

The latest episode of the Powered On Podcast tackles a potent issue that's been buzzing through the circuits of the UK's electrical industry: a palpable skills shortage. 
This episode delves into how this gap could jolt the UK’s aspirations towards a net zero future, a topic hotter than a live wire in today's climate discourse.

The conversation sparks off with a glimpse into the gravity of the skills shortage, tossing some stark figures into the mix that highlight the need for a fresh wave of skilled hands in the electrical and engineering sectors. It’s not just a static issue; it's dynamic and evolving with the UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets.

Brexit, the ageing workforce, and the ramifications on achieving net zero – it’s all laid out in a candid discussion that navigates through the intricate web of challenges and opportunities lying ahead.

The dialogue doesn’t just stop at identifying the problems but ventures into the realm of solutions, with a spotlight on education, industry engagement, and fostering the next-generation of electrical whizz-kids.

The quest for net zero is a collective endeavour, and this episode charges up the discussion around what it’s going to take to bridge the skills gap and keep the UK on track towards a greener tomorrow.

The Powered On Podcast weaves a narrative that’s both enlightening and engaging, making it a must-listen for anyone plugged into the UK’s net zero ambitions or the electrical industry. So, tune in, power up your understanding, and get sparked up for a journey into the core of the UK's green-tech future.

Plus, don’t forget to check out CPDWeek.co.uk to learn more about Electrical Review’s own initiatives to improve the ongoing skills gap. And join us next week on Powered On as we welcome Andrew Eldred, Director of Workforce and Public Affairs at the Electrical Contractors Association, as a special guest. 

Following Rishi Sunak's announcement that some of the Government's key net zero policies were to be pushed back, many in the industry reacted in disbelief.

The UK has long led the decarbonisation charge globally, with the country seen as a beacon of what can be done with the right policy in place. It came out of hosting COP26 optimistic that it would spur a global push for net zero.

However, despite its reputation as being bullish on net zero, that was all on the line following Sunak's announcement. He announced delays to the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, while no longer forcing landlords to make necessary energy efficiency improvements in their rented properties.

At the time of the announcement, Ford UK's Managing Director, noted that all they asked for from the Government was "ambition, commitment and consistency," arguing that "a relaxation of the 2030 date could undermine all three."

Now that the dust has settled since the announcement, we're joined by Tom Callow, Head of Corporate Communications at myenergi, to explore what impact Sunak's changes will actually have on the industry. Will this delay the UK's transition to electric vehicles, or has reaction to the changes been blown out of proportion given the decision to maintain the ZEV Mandate. 

You'll find out in this episode of Powered On, as well as a general overview of the UK's direction of travel when it comes to net zero.