Energy is an essential component of modern life. It impacts our homes through heating and electricity. It also impacts our mobility whether by car, bus, train or airplane. Energy is an important cost of most manufacturing, agricultural and service businesses. It is vital for the economy as a whole.
It was with great pleasure that the ICAEW Energy & Natural Resources Community hosted Professor Teddy Püttgen for a webinar on ‘The future of energy and electricity supply in Europe as a result of the war in Ukraine'.
Professor Teddy Püttgen started by reminding us that population growth would be a driver for a greater need for energy. Today around one billion people do not have access to electricity. They should have access in the future.
There is a growing understanding that the increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, principally from the burning of fossil fuels, is causing climate change. The required growth in energy use must be combined with a decarbonisation of the energy production and use.
The war in Ukraine has caused European countries to reassess their dependence on Russian oil, gas and coal. During the webinar, we looked at the current energy mixes of six countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK). We assessed the challenges they faced in decarbonising their energy sectors.
Following the presentation, Professor Püttgen answered the many audience questions. We were grateful to have the opportunity to host Professor Püttgen again. Both this and the previous webinar are now available on-demand.
Those interested in finding out more about the Energy sector should read ‘Electricity: Humanity’s low-carbon future’ by Teddy Püttgen and Yves Bamberger.
*The views expressed are the author’s and not ICAEW’s.