Fireside Chat with Dan McGrail, CEO, Great British Energy

One year after becoming a statutory organisation, Great British Energy is moving from policy ambition to practical delivery. In this Strategic Summit fireside chat, Dan McGrail reflects on the organisation's first year, discussing how it has developed its investment strategy, identified priority technologies and begun supporting projects that can accelerate the UK's transition to clean power.

Rather than acting as a traditional energy developer, Great British Energy has been established to invest where it can unlock additional value for the wider market. Throughout the discussion, Dan explains how the organisation aims to work alongside private investors by supporting emerging technologies, reducing investment risk and helping to build confidence in projects that have the potential to deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits.

A central theme of the conversation is the importance of strategic public investment. Dan outlines four areas where Great British Energy believes it can make the greatest impact: accelerating offshore wind, supporting long-duration energy storage, expanding local and community energy projects, and strengthening UK supply chains. Together, these priorities are intended not only to increase renewable energy generation but also to create skilled jobs, encourage innovation and ensure that more of the economic value created by the energy transition remains within the UK.

The discussion also explores the role of Great British Energy as an investor rather than a market replacement. Examples including investment in the Pentland offshore wind project, support for ITM Power and funding for solar deployment across schools and hospitals illustrate how targeted public investment can encourage private capital, accelerate technology deployment and help emerging industries reach commercial scale. Dan argues that this collaborative approach is essential to building investor confidence and delivering Clean Power 2030.

Looking ahead, attention turns to the organisation's next phase of growth. With new investment programmes underway, a £300 million supply chain fund open to applications, and increased focus on community energy, public land and industrial capability, Great British Energy aims to become an active partner in delivering the UK's long-term energy transition. Throughout the conversation, Dan emphasises that success will ultimately be measured not simply by individual projects, but by whether Great British Energy helps create a stronger, more resilient and more competitive clean energy sector.

The session explores

• Great British Energy's first year and strategic priorities
• Investing alongside the private sector to accelerate clean energy deployment
• Offshore wind, long-duration energy storage and community energy
• Strengthening UK supply chains and supporting British manufacturing
• The role of public investment in reducing risk and attracting private capital
• Delivering Clean Power 2030 while creating long-term jobs and economic growth

Watch the full fireside chat to hear Dan McGrail discuss how Great British Energy is evolving from a new public organisation into an active investor, working with industry to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen UK supply chains and support the delivery of Clean Power 2030.

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