The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has named the eight energy and nature experts appointed to the Advisory Commission for Mission Control Board, tasked with accelerating the country’s mission for clean power by 2030.
The eight commissioners have almost 200 years’ worth of experience across energy policy, environment, industry and academia and they will form new Advisory Commission for Mission Control, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband attending their first meeting.
The Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission will support head of Mission Control Chris Stark (pictured) in developing a Clean Power 2030 system – providing expertise to deliver the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, expected later this year.
The Action Plan will set out the path to decarbonise the electricity grid, helping protect billpayers from volatile gas prices and strengthening Britain’s energy security.
The commissioners come from across industry and academia with a wealth of expertise and experience to advise on specific aspects of developing a clean power system, including planning, infrastructure, nature, and supply chains, said DESNZ.
The eight appointments are:
Nick Winser: Formerly chief executive of National Grid across UK and Europe, and president of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity.
Tim Pick: Over 25 years in the energy sector the UK’s first Offshore Wind Champion.
Juliet Davenport: Founder of the Good Energy company and president of the Energy Institute.
Robert Gross: Director of the UK Energy Research Centre since 2020, and professor of energy policy and technology at Imperial College.
Craig Bennett: Chief executive of The Wildlife Trust and former chief executive of Friends of the Earth.
Jo Coleman: Member of several energy organisations, with a background in engineering and major project delivery in the oil and gas sector.
Lucy Yu: Chief executive and founder at Centre for Net Zero, Octopus Energy Group’s not-for-profit AI and data-driven research institute, which was set up to advance tech-driven energy systems that benefit humanity.
Simon Harrison: Elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband chaired the first Advisory Commission meeting, emphasising the importance of the new group for removing barriers and accelerating the energy system towards clean power by 2030.
Miliband said: “The best way to take back control of our energy security and create highly skilled jobs is to speed up the rollout of renewables and transition towards clean homegrown power.
“The Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission, benefiting from decades of experience across industry and academia, under Chris Stark’s leadership, will have a laser-like focus on delivering our mission for clean power by 2030.”
Stark added: “The Clean Power by 2030 is a statement of our ambition. This mission will unlock good jobs and protect the consumer, and it is key to our energy security.
“We will work closely with our partners in industry to deliver this mission at pace – these are eight leading figures in their field to drive that partnership.
“I’m looking forward to working with all eight commissioners to unblock barriers, spot the opportunities, and deliver a clean power system by 2030.”