Xoserve welcomes Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan

Steve Brittan, CEO of Xoserve, commented:

"The Industrial Strategy and accompanying Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan acknowledge that achieving clean energy by 2030 and net zero by 2050 demands a whole energy systems solution that includes a mix of renewable energy sources and hydrogen. Gas, including low-carbon alternatives like hydrogen, and the strategic use of natural gas with Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), must play a vital role alongside renewables to ensure energy security, manage costs, and drive economic growth within this energy transition.

The Strategy’s emphasis on digitalisation and data technology, including AI, is a message that Xoserve strongly supports as the Central Data Service Provider for Britain's gas industry. Data is critical for underpinning any effective energy strategy, providing the granular insights needed to identify trends, optimise generation, and drive efficiencies across the entire supply chain, including the energy sector.

However, we must also consider the significant energy consumption required to power this digital revolution, particularly with the rise of AI. While renewables and small modular reactor programmes are cited as solutions, the immediate rise in electricity demand could require additional support from gas, including green gas such as biomethane, to bridge the gap until other energy solutions are fully deployed. There is a critical need for flexible energy generation, as highlighted by the increased gas demand last winter for power generation, which gas can provide. To assess the extent of the gap, an energy blueprint of our future digital infrastructure is a vital consideration for a successful strategy.

Beyond supporting the energy industry to meet demand and supporting productivity growth, the data-sharing initiatives outlined in the Industrial Strategy hold immense potential for other societal benefits. By leveraging shared data, energy businesses can identify opportunities to reduce energy costs for consumers and provide targeted support to those in or at risk of fuel crisis."

Orlando Minervino, Decarbonisation Strategy Manager, added:

"We actively welcome the Government’s intention to consult on hydrogen blending into existing GB gas networks in summer 2025, with a decision keenly awaited by the gas industry expected next year. Xoserve remains dedicated to its commitment to supporting energy decision-makers and the gas industry in rolling out the plans set out in both the Industrial Strategy and the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to decarbonise Britain’s energy system with the use of low-carbon and green gas.

We will continue to provide the essential data services, system change capability, and market coordination needed to underpin a whole systems approach. This ensures that the transition is not only technically feasible but also secure, inclusive, and cost-effective for Britain’s consumers and businesses. We look forward to seeing further low-carbon gas innovations begin to roll out."

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