Redefining the Energy Industry

Banner promoting the Cadent Global Technology Conference and partnership logos of Italgas and GRDF.

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Stephanie van Rosse

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Today, (22 April 2026) we’re thrilled to collaborate with Italgas and Gaz Réseau Distribution France (GRDF), two of Europe’s leading gas distribution operators and welcome them as partners of our third Global Technology Conference.

This year’s theme, ‘Redefining the Energy Industry’: green gases, digitalisation, AI, innovation; all the building blocks of tomorrow’s energy networks.

Global leaders from gas and technology companies will unite with one mission, to accelerate digital transformation, advance decarbonisation and unlock flexible, sustainable solutions.

At Cadent’s Global Technology Conference, collaboration propels progress. This is where the gas industry connects, shaping the future and driving the energy transition forward.

At its core the conference is about how leadership intent, technology and partners come together to deliver real at pace change. Enabling decarbonisation, resilience and operational transformation in the energy industry.

Across a packed two-day agenda, delegates will hear from leading experts including guest speakers Alessandro Agosta, senior partner at McKinsey and Sir Dieter Helm CBE, British Economist and professor at the University of Oxford.

Today we start the conversations - Redefining the Energy Industry.

Howard Forster

Chief Operating Officer, Cadent

Reflecting on the conference, Cadent’s Chief Operating Officer Howard Forster, said: At our last conference, we set out a series of big questions - and together, we turned many of those conversations and early ideas into real technological solutions now shaping our business. This year alongside our partners Italgas and GRDF, we aim to go even further - cultivating new partnerships, exploring cutting‑edge technologies, and pushing boundaries in digital capability, operational excellence, decarbonisation and redefining the energy industry.

We’re excited about the new partnerships and innovations that will emerge over the next two days.

Paolo Gallo

Chief Executive Officer, Italgas

At a time when energy security has returned to the top of the international agenda, the role of gas distribution networks is more strategic than ever: a capillary infrastructure delivering energy every day to millions of people and businesses - a vital system that must be continuously developed to support a fair and economically sustainable energy transition. The ability to innovate of Italgas, Cadent and GRDF in a coordinated way can make a real difference for the European entire continent. And this is precisely why events like GTC have concrete value: because innovation born from collaboration produces real impact, for businesses and citizens alike. commented Paolo Gallo, Chief Executive Officer of Italgas.

Laurence Poirier-Dietz

Chief Executive Officer, GRDF

Across our organisations, we share a clear and unwavering commitment to decarbonising the gas sector — reducing emissions, digitizing our networks and accelerating the development of cleaner alternatives.

Decarbonising the energy system requires both electrification and the greening of gas. Only a complementary approach between energy sources will allow us to meet the challenges of climate change, competitiveness and energy sovereignty.

Said Laurence Poirier‑Dietz, GRDF’s Chief Executive Officer.

The image presents the Cadent Global Technology Conference, highlighting partnerships with Italgas and GRDF, and listing platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsors including Network Plus, Picarro, Emerson, HCLTech, Schneider Electric, and others

Notes to editors:

About the guest speakers.

Alessandro Agosta

Alessandro leads the development of McKinsey’s natural-gas knowledge, helping to build a distinctive perspective on gas-market discontinuities, natural gas, and LNG. Alessandro serves clients globally, working across all functions from operations, marketing and sales to corporate finance and organization.

Sir Dieter Helm CBE

Dieter Helm is Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. From 2012 to 2020, he was Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee, providing advice to the government on the sustainable use of natural capital. In The Cost of Energy Review, commissioned by the government in 2017, he set out a framework for transitioning the UK energy sector to net zero while maintaining energy security.

Dieter specialises in three key areas: Energy & Climate; Regulation, Utilities & Infrastructure; and Natural Capital & the Environment. He provides extensive expert advice to UK and European governments, regulators and companies across all three areas

About Italgas

Italgas is a Network Tech Company and a leader in the gas distribution, water services, energy efficiency, and IT sectors. Following the acquisition of 2i Rete Gas Italgas becomes the leading gas distribution operator in Europe, managing a network of over 150,000 kilometres and serving about 13 million customers in Italy and in Greece. Through its subsidiaries in the water sector, the Group provides services—both directly and indirectly—to 6.2 million people, representing 10% of the Italian population, mainly in the Lazio, Sicily, and Campania regions. For more information: www.italgas.it

About GRDF

As the main gas distribution system operator (DSO) in France, GRDF distributes gas every day to more than 11 million customers for heating, cooking, industries and transport, regardless of their supplier. To this end, in accordance with its public service missions, GRDF designs, builds, operates and maintains the largest distribution network in Europe (207,081 km) in more than 9,500 municipalities, guaranteeing the safety of people and property and the quality of distribution.

Gas is a modern form of energy that is available, economical and increasingly respectful of the environment. With the rise of green gas, a locally produced renewable gas, the gas network is an essential link in the ecological transition. GRDF is a key partner for local authorities, helping them to achieve carbon neutrality through their energy and sustainable mobility policies.

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

Future of Gas:

Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.