Guardian Big Energy Debate: Institution overview

Dean Velani reflects on the Guardian Big Energy Debate so far.

Traditionally, the Guardian newspaper is associated with the liberal left. As such it is not an outrageous presumption that the Big Energy Debate would be a talking shop for the green lobby and renewable energy providers. Any concerns dissipated when the associated partners were the National Grid, Siemens, Crown Estate to Nuclear Industry Association and Energy Networks Association, to name a few.

Clearly such a group of stakeholders would bring a level of diverse discussion and interesting debate. There have been six roundtable discussions with three Westminster based and three regional roundtables covering Glasgow, Staffordshire and Bristol. These were unique opportunities for industry stakeholders and political decision-makers to discuss in private their concerns and solutions regarding the ‘energy trilemma’.

From a public affairs viewpoint, these events can provide the Institution with the ability to network and cement our position as a thought leader within the sector. The reputational value of this cannot be underestimated. The Institution’s research reports, policy statements and contributions in media and debate all add to the impression that this is an Institution of prestige and knowledge.

It is not a worth that can be quantified in monetary terms. But when a politician makes contact with the Institution to ask our view on a specific subject, we know that the important groundwork has already been done.