Matthew Margetts, Director at Smarter Technologies, chaired the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC’s) discussion on energy procurement and its significance in the decarbonisation process, titled “The Role of Electricity Procurement in Decarbonising the UK Energy System”.  

The session was orchestrated by the UK Green Buildings Council, who presented the findings from their working group who had been tasked with looking for solutions to achieve the national net zero target. Speakers included Tom Wigg, Senior Advisor at UKGBC, Rebekah Needham, Associate Director at CBRE, and Greg Borel, Managing Partner at Ampersand.  

The decarbonisation of the UK’s energy supply sector relies heavily on the rapid deployment of new renewable generating capacity, storage solutions, and demand-side flexibility, making buildings pivotal in driving this transition. During the session, attendees received an exclusive preview of the forthcoming guidance from the UKGBC. The guidance explores the principles for quality electricity procurement, tools to compare available energy products, and an approach to assessing the effectiveness of a building’s electricity strategy in contributing to the establishment of a net zero carbon grid.  

Industry leaders and professionals were able to delve into the challenges and opportunities surrounding electricity procurement in the context of decarbonisation. Discussions revolved around identifying best practices, evaluating available energy products, and fostering strategies and practical measures that enable buildings to actively contribute to a sustainable, net zero carbon grid. For example, Google aims to operate 24-7 on carbon-free energy by 2030. What practical steps can other companies emulate to achieve the same level of success without feeling resource-constrained? 

Written by Shea Karssing

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