Ed Crooks

Ed Crooks joined Wood Mackenzie in 2019 as Vice-Chair for the Americas region, based in New York. He is one of the leaders of the firm’s research into commodities, companies and global trends. He hosts ‘The Energy Gang’, one of the world’s most popular energy podcasts, featuring a range of leading figures from academia, finance and business. He also writes Wood Mackenzie’s ‘Energy Pulse’, a weekly column on the latest developments in the industry. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council, an industry body that advises the US Secretary of Energy. Before joining Wood Mackenzie, he was an award-winning energy editor for the Financial Times, first in London and then in New York, where he wrote the popular ‘Energy Source’ newsletter. He joined the FT in 1999 as economics editor, and took over the energy team in 2006. From 1990-99 he worked for BBC News, starting as a researcher in the economics team and ending as a correspondent on radio and television. He began his career in journalism covering chemicals and oil companies for the Investors’ Chronicle, and also worked as an economic researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies. His other roles have included membership of the UK government’s Sustainable Development Commission. He has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University.

Session Overview

Tuesday, 5 November

10:00

Decarbonisation Conference Decarbonisation Theatre 10:00 - 11:00

Investing in reliable grid infrastructure to deliver renewable capacity and energy efficiency commitments

Tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 is seen as critical to achieving a sustainable and low-carbon energy future. However, this initiative faces a unique set of challenges for each goal, including the lack of investment in the grid infrastructure needed to deliver renewable energy from generation sources to end-users, as well as driving operational excellence through the adoption of efficient electric technologies like heat pumps, EVs, etc. While long-term operational costs are lower compared to traditional fuels, the initial investment can be a barrier for investors as can long ROI windows. Collaboration across all stakeholder groups including utilities, grid technology vendors, investors and others will be needed to de-risk investment and deliver a reliable grid infrastructure that will enable increased renewable capacity and energy efficiency.

Attendee insights:

Understand the significant role of investment in establishing a modernised, reliable grid infrastructure to enable renewable energy capacity.

Wednesday, 6 November

11:00

Strategic Conference ICC Hall 11:00 - 12:00

The strategic advantage of natural gas and LNG in the energy transition

Natural gas - and LNG in particular – is forecast to play an important role as the fuel of choice in the multifaceted energy system. However, although natural gas is supporting global energy security, particularly in Europe, where LNG supplies have increased by 15% since 2022, many argue gas should not be considered a long-term solution and its transition needs to be fast tracked. Many markets, particularly Asian, will look to affordable and secure LNG supply in their efforts to phase out coal in the decades ahead. Additionally, access to gas supplies will potentially play an important role in securing new energy supply to meet high volume AI demand. Given the conflicting pressures on gas production, what is the long-term future for natural gas? How can LNG establish itself as the fuel of choice during the energy transition and beyond?

Attendee insights:

Understand the role of natural gas and LNG during the energy transition, the perspectives on what role it may play in the long-term, including meeting high volume AI demand, and what may enhance or impede its growth potential in the global energy mix.