From polls and policies to projects in play

As UK businesses, communities, and people continued to digest the 2024 Autumn Budget announced in October, November emerged as a pivotal month for the global energy landscape. The re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States signals a significant shift in US energy policy, with potential global repercussions. At COP29, a new Global Climate Finance Goal was unveiled, aiming to mobilise $300 billion annually to help developing countries cut emissions. While this is a substantial commitment, even UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed a desire for more ambitious outcomes in both finance and mitigation. And in Brazil at the G20, the UK government launched the UK-led Global Clean Power Alliance aimed at addressing critical energy transition challenges.

Closer to home, November saw a strategic emphasis on leveraging public finance to crowd in private investment and accelerate the energy transition. The UK government launched the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) to incentivise investment in the UK offshore wind industry and encourage sustainable supply chains. The Scottish Government unveiled its new hydrogen export plans at D2Zero company Hydrasun’s Hydrogen Build & Assembly Centre in Cambuslang, Glasgow.  

November was also an exciting month for several of our companies. Fuel Cell Systems showcased the power and potential of hydrogen by driving a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai from Hungerford in the UK to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, then to Brussels in Belgium and back again, demonstrating the future of sustainable transport.  

Score is tackling emissions head-on for its clients and was awarded a contract with INPEX Operations Australia P/L for Flange Management services. Their Gas Turbine Division also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JST Group to strengthen turbomachinery Service Support in Thailand as they target to expand in Asia.

And it’s fantastic to see that in recognition of their efforts, Score has been shortlisted for two awards at the upcoming EEEGR (East of England Energy Group) End of Year Awards: the Going Green award, recognising the company’s commitment to net-zero, and the Apprentice Employer of the Year award, honouring Score’s dedication to nurturing future talent in the energy sector.

Excellent project delivery remains a cornerstone for all our companies. nexos has added value to long-term client EnQuest through a new strategic approach to vendor rationalisation, achieving cost efficiency and operational consistency. They have been awarded a new HVAC contract for EnQuest’s UKCS assets, including the Thistle and Magnus platforms.  

nexos boasts some of the most exceptional fabrication capabilities, expertise, and experience in the UK. And don’t just take my word for it, their Welding & Materials Technical Authority was the first recipient of the Richard Ward Memorial award from The Welding Institute.

As we look ahead to December and into 2025, we're not taking our foot off the pedal. As Michael Jordan said, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships". Together our companies are actively accelerating the pace of decarbonisation to ensure our clients achieve their ambitious goals while optimising operations. With the momentum we've built, I’m excited to see more innovative projects and strategic partnerships hit key milestones.

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