One Grid for a Resilient Network Zero Electricity Network, a One-Day Technical Conference.

CIGRE UK is pleased to announce its 2026 Annual Technical Conference, taking place on Thursday 3rd December 2026, 08:30 to 15:30, at the IET Austin Court, Birmingham. This year’s theme, “One Grid for a Resilient Network Zero Electricity Network” will explore the proposition that the energy transition will succeed only if the grid of tomorrow is one integrated system.

Why attend the CIGRE UK’s Annual Technical Conference?

In just one day, this conference will bring together the power-system community to connect global expertise with the challenges and opportunities facing the GB energy sector. Building on the momentum and international knowledge exchange of the CIGRE Paris Session 2026, attendees will have the opportunity to: –

• Gain insights from the latest global developments and technical discussions.

• Understand what these developments mean for the GB power system.

• Learn from leading industry experts, engineers and researchers.

• Connect with peers and decision-makers from across the energy sector.

• Exchange ideas, challenges and practical solutions.

• Explore how innovation and international experience can support the delivery of our future power system.

One day. Global insights. GB challenges. Valuable connections. Practical ideas to take back to your organisation.

Attendance Fee: includes refreshments and lunch

CIGRE UK Individual Member (including NGN), Collective Member: £90 + VAT

Non-Member: £180 + VAT

Student Member: £45 + VAT

Conference Presenters and Content

The day’s activity will be moderated by James Yu, CIGRE UK Technical Committee Chair, and include contributions from Mark Waldron, CIGRE UK Chair and Jonathan Chapman, CIGRE UK Vice-Chair.

Presenters include:

Julian Leslie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianxleslie/) – Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer, NESO

Phil Clements (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-clements-03270b82/) - Director of Network Engineering & Chief Engineer, SSEN Transmission

Martin Southall (https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-southall-93391332/) - Power Systems Engineering Manager, GE Vernova

Mark Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdtjones/) - Transmission Control Centre, SSEN Transmission

Xiaoming (https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaoming-li-pmp%C2%AE-ceng-miet-4a3154110/) Li – Chief Engineer, Zenobe

Special Reports from CIGRE Session 2026:

James Pilgrim (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pilgrim-2152a32a/) : Study Committee B1, Insulated Cables

Bless Kuri (https://www.linkedin.com/in/blessk/) : Study Committee C1, Power System Developments & Economics

John W Wright (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-w-wright-35b348a1/) : Study Committee B5, Protection & Automation

HVDC Interconnector, from a developer perspective:

Moderated by Ben Marshall (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-marshall-77a9b519b/) – UK Regular Member for B4 (DC Systems & Power Electronics)

Dr Richard Poole (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-richard-poole-b67396a9/) - HVDC Principle Consultant, Global Transmission

Nathan Farrell-Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-farrell-jones-ceng-miet-92796463/)– Technical Manager for Offshore (HVDC) Project Delivery, National Grid

Sheena Froggatt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheena-froggatt-003b14138/) – Asset Engineering Assurance Manager for HVDC, National Grid

Marc Vincent (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvincent01/) – Head of Project Development, National Grid

HVDC International Visit Report:

Timothy Edwards (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-edwards-431367a4/) – Senior Operability Lead, NESO

Nathan Farrell Jones, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-farrell-jones-ceng-miet-92796463/) Engineering Manager Offshore (HVDC) Project Delivery, National Grid

Panel: Interaction and interface between Transmission & Distribution

Jointly Chaired by: Xiaoyao Zhou (https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaoyao-zhou-2974792b/) – Senior Technical Leader, NESO and Jun Liang – UK Regular Member for C6 (Active Distribution Systems and Distributed Energy Resources)

Mini Nambiar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mini-nambiar-6a62762a/), Head of Strategic Technical Development, SSEN Transmission

Tim Manandhar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-manandhar/), DSO Senior Manager, UKPN

Cheng Chen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheng-chen-a322b847/), Model Development Manager, NESO

Shengji Tee (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tee-shengji-tee-a0821b42/), Principle Engineer, SPEN

Charlotte Higgins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-higgins-9ab57913/), Director - Electricity Networks, ARUP

Alan Richie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-ritchie-16321b4b/), Chief Technology Officer, PNDC

NGN Report/Update/Posters

Nan Chen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanchen4/), Chair CIGRE UK NGN

Mark Kent (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kent99/), Lead Engineer, SPEN

Description supplied by the event organiser.