What is the energy transition really about and how should leaders be talking about it now? In this episode, Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax, reflects on how the narrative is shifting from a narrow focus on net zero to a broader story about affordability, energy security, and enabling an electrified future.
He shares how Drax’s strategy has taken shape in practice, moving from investing across multiple opportunities to focusing more clearly on flexible generation in a system increasingly defined by volatility and rising demand. The conversation also explores the realities behind the headlines: grid constraints, misaligned incentives, and the challenge of building new infrastructure at pace.
At the heart of the discussion is a leadership question. For Will, the role is not just to operate within the system, but to help reshape how energy is understood — communicating its importance, rebuilding trust, and making the case for why it underpins everything from AI to modern life.
Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/
Will Gardiner