• CERAWEEK 2025 | March 10-14, 2025
  • CERAWEEK
  • March 10 - 14, 2025

Ben Wilson

National Grid

Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer

Prior to joining National Grid, Ben was the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), one of the largest utility infrastructure businesses in Australia; active in every mainland state and throughout storage, midstream, transmission, distribution and metering. Before AGIG, Ben was the Director of Strategy & Regulation and Chief Financial Officer of UK Power Networks, an electricity distribution business in the UK with 8 million customers. Before moving into industry, Ben spent 15 years as an energy and utilities investment banker, working in Europe and Asia. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. Ben has more than 25 years’ experience in the energy sector and has wide international experience. His focus areas include strategy, regulation, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, M&A, innovation and sustainability.

Sessions With Ben Wilson

Thursday, 21 March

  • 07:15am - 08:20am (CST) / 21/mar/2024 12:15 pm - 21/mar/2024 01:20 pm

    Financial Prospects for Renewable Power: Will markets support returns?
    Power/Clean Power

    Inflation, high interest rates and supply chain bottlenecks over the past two years have challenged the competitiveness of clean energy projects after a decade of seemingly unstoppable cost declines. Are the recent challenges a blip in this longer story of improving economics for renewables or a harbinger of continuing challenges. What policies and market reforms can strengthen the long-term viability and the case for capital for renewable projects? In a transforming energy system, how are investors reassessing the variabilities in risks, returns and time horizons across emerging and mature technologies?

  • 09:30am - 10:00am (CST) / 21/mar/2024 02:30 pm - 21/mar/2024 03:00 pm

    How to Make Electric Grids Resilient to Climate Change
    Climate & Sustainability

    As climate change accelerates, the resilience of our electric grids becomes paramount. What are the strategies, innovations and policy frameworks essential for fortifying electric grids against the impacts of climate change? Expert panelists will explore key challenges such as extreme weather events and shifting patterns of energy demand and supply. What are the actionable insights, technological advancements and adaptive measures necessary to ensure the reliability, sustainability and resilience of electric grids in the face of evolving climate threats? How can we transform our electric infrastructure to thrive in a changing climate landscape? 

  • 03:15pm - 03:55pm (CST) / 21/mar/2024 08:15 pm - 21/mar/2024 08:55 pm

    Spotlight | Impact of the IRA on U.S. Electric Power
    Power/Clean Power

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is intended to spur the deployment of clean energy technologies and propel the U.S. toward a decarbonized power system. In 2023, the U.S. installed a record amount of solar PV and grid-scale batteries, but the pace will need to accelerate sharply to meet the Biden administration’s climate ambitions. While the IRA provides the financial incentives to ramp up deployment, stubborn obstacles persist. What progress has been made so far under the IRA? What options are available to overcome hurdles to deployment such as local community opposition, long grid interconnection queues and supply chain challenges?