Energy transition is critical to economic growth, resilience and investment says Energy UK CEO

“This isn’t just about maintaining a system. It’s about building a system for the future. It is about building a strong, resilient, secure, smart system which will save us billions on volatile fossil fuels and support economic growth.”

The energy sector is perhaps the ultimate embodiment of a challenge facing all CEOs—the dual responsibility of balancing short-term disruptions with the delivery of a transformative long-term vision.

In this context, that means facing increased scrutiny over the near-term implications of the energy transition while at the same time sticking to a long-term plan of decarbonisation and improved energy security, resilience and affordability.

Short-term challenges, long-term benefits

Vyas says she is well-aware that decarbonisation is a difficult sell when many households are struggling financially but she believes the long-term benefits will justify the upfront costs, adding that the sector is doing more to ensure vulnerable customers receive targeted support.

“While we’ve seen a welcome step toward shifting some policy costs off bills, more can be done to rebalance the environmental and social policy levies that remain on energy bills. At the same time, it’s fair to say that there are some costs that arguably should stay on the bill, including investments in infrastructure which have long-term horizons.”

Her confidence in the validity and value of investing in energy transition doesn’t mean it is universally popular, of course. Underlying motivations such as climate change have attracted some high-profile and vociferous critics.

“2025 has been a year of increased scrutiny and questioning of how you deliver the energy transition against the backdrop of global political uncertainty,” says Vyas. “The fracturing political consensus around net zero has had an impact on investor confidence.”

Focusing on outcomes

“We should focus on the fact net zero is an outcome,” she says. “As a phrase it has been weaponised. But the focus needs to be on what it means. Because when it comes to households, we need to double down on bill stability, warmth and safety. For businesses, it is about stable bills and scope two emissions. For the UK as a whole, it’s about security and resilience and clean air. These are all things people want. We also know that people want to take steps to tackle climate change.”

High profile critics, consumer concerns and political pressure have added to the scrutiny the energy sector feels, and Vyas says the majority of scrutiny is fair and right.

“The political and media interest in our industry has been significant,” she says. “But it’s only right that we are making decisions out in the open. We are a highly regulated industry for a reason. We are responsible for delivering an essential service. And with that comes an appropriate level of scrutiny.”

The role of collaboration

Transparency and open dialogue are also critical components of effective collaboration—something which is essential for the energy transition.

Vyas gives the example of the booming demand for datacentres. They are an opportunity to drive growth and job creation, as well as to attract investment to the UK. But infrastructure projects of that nature require a coordinated effort and the ability to move at speed in the interests of national competitiveness.

“The UK already has over 500 datacentres. So we are up there in the top three or four globally,” says Vyas. 

Vyas says collaboration with the Government has been very positive and she credits it with driving progress in key areas, citing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill getting Royal Assent, which aims to streamline the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects that support UK growth and competitiveness.

“Investors, when they’re considering the UK, are of course considering options in other countries. That is the nature of the global market. But the UK is still a very attractive environment for investors,” she says. “We have stability. Investors often describe funding projects in the UK as ‘stable’.”

A flagship sector for the UK

The UK is often held up as a world leader in renewables and Vyas believes the halo of maintaining that position extends far beyond the companies involved in major infrastructure projects.

“We have a great story to tell in the UK,” she says. “The power sector led the way on decarbonisation, but making the case for the energy transition is not just an economic story. It’s a story about society too. It’s a story about good jobs. It’s a story about places and communities that are revitalised.”

One key benefit for society is the job creation potential of the energy sector.

However, Vyas says the sector also has a responsibility to ensure change does not leave communities behind. As the country moves away from fossil fuels, the role of upskilling and reskilling people who relied upon coal, oil and gas-related jobs is critical.

Proactively addressing such factors is key to shaping a narrative around energy transition where “the positives far outweigh the negatives” says Vyas.

“In the long-term, energy transition will lead to stable prices, and it will lead to a cleaner environment, with the UK leading the way.”