This event is organised by CIGRE UK NGN, co-organised IEEE PES UK&I Chapter, and hosted by the CIGRE UK Uni Hub – Birmingham Region and the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham.
Abstract
Early Competition introduces competitive tendering to select a Competitively Appointed Transmission Owner (CATO) to design, finance, build and operate new onshore transmission assets, to facilitate UK’s Net Zero goal.
This seminar offers a practical, engineer‑focused introduction to the regime: how projects are identified for competition, what goes into the technical specification, how tender documentation is structured, and how technical evaluation criteria are applied to ensure transparent, fair, and cost-effective outcomes. Attendees will leave with a clear mental model of the end‑to‑end process, from need identification to award, and concrete guidance on where engineering judgement most influences competitive outcomes.
Time & Date: 2:00 – 3:30 pm (BST), 1st April, 2026
In-Person Venue: G36, Y3, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
Online Platform: Webex (online meeting link will be shared with registrants before the event)
Fees: Free.
Agenda
2:00 – 2:10 pm: Welcome & Introduction
2:10 – 2:50 pm: Keynote Presentation
2:50 – 3:00 pm: Q&A
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Event Closure & Networking session for in-person attendees.
Location & Travel information:
G36, Ground Floor, Y3 on the Campus Map, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
By train: University Station (5 min walk away from the event venue)
By car: Visitor car park is University of Birmingham: North East Car Park with all floors available except the ground floor. Parking Fee can be paid on machine or Ringo with Location 15677. (10 min walk away from the event venue)
Speaker Bio
James Kennerley is Technical Engineering Manager in NESO’s Network Competition team, leading the technical elements of Early Competition—including project identification, specification development, and technical bid evaluation. He brings 3 years at ESO/NESO and 10 years of prior experience with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), grounded in an academic background in civil engineering, bridging major infrastructure delivery with whole‑system planning. Drawing on 12+ years across energy and construction, James works at the interface of strategy and engineering delivery to ensure technically robust, deliverable solutions that support value for consumers and progress towards net zero.