EP. 275 - Systemic Reform and the Future of Britain’s Energy System

This week on Energy Unplugged, we share a keynote address from Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive of Ofgem, recorded live at Aurora’s Energy Transition Summit in London. Jonathan sets out why the UK’s energy transition now requires deep systemic reform -moving beyond a purely market-led model towards a more strategic, coordinated approach to planning, regulation and delivery. Drawing on lessons from electricity market reform and the rapid scale-up of offshore wind, he argues that choosing low-cost pathways, coordinating infrastructure, enabling flexible demand and spreading costs fairly are essential to delivering a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system.

Jonathan reflects on the pressures driving reform, from volatile gas prices and rising energy bills to surging demand from electrification, AI and data centres. He outlines how Ofgem is responding through faster network approvals, connection reform, closer coordination with the National Energy System Operator, and a renewed focus on retail market reform. The discussion highlights the challenge of balancing affordability, security and decarbonisation while creating a regulatory framework capable of supporting large-scale investment in networks and clean energy.

You will learn:

• Why systemic reform is now essential to deliver a coordinated, lower-cost energy transition beyond a purely market-led model.
• How affordability, fairness and energy debt are shaping the transition, and what needs to change to protect consumers.
• What a reformed regulatory framework must do to unlock investment, accelerate grid build-out and enable flexible demand.

Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged.

Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.