Catch up on the recording
Watch back this CBI Spotlight webinar exploring why energy remains one of the biggest risks facing UK businesses and what needs to change to create a more competitive and investable energy environment.
In this session, speakers examined findings from npower Business Solutions' 2026 Business Energy Tracker alongside CBI research on the wider cost of doing business. The discussion explored why energy remains such a persistent concern, including the growing impact of network and policy costs, the prospect of further cost pressures and the effect high energy prices are having on investment, hiring and UK competitiveness.
The panel also considered how the costs of the energy transition should be shared. While businesses continue to support the move towards clean power, speakers discussed the need for greater policy certainty and a fairer approach to funding the transition so that energy costs become an enabler of investment and growth rather than a barrier.
Key discussion points include:
- Why energy remains a leading business risk and what is driving the different components of business energy bills.
- The impact of high and uncertain energy costs on investment, hiring, competitiveness and business growth.
- Whether businesses are carrying a disproportionate share of the cost of the energy transition, and alternative approaches to funding it.
- What businesses want from government, including greater certainty and action to reduce policy costs on electricity bills.
- How changes to the UK's energy cost base could help unlock greater private sector investment and long-term economic growth.
Speakers
Chair: Tracy Black, Chief Commercial Officer, CBI
Anthony Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer, npower Business Solutions
Charlie Courtney, Economic Policy Manager, CBI
Anthony Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer at npower Business Solutions, will join the panel Unlocking the power of business at this year's CBI Annual Conference.
Book your tickets to hear more from Anthony alongside other leading voices from across business and government.
