The Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Power Generating Systems (AMPS) has today launched its Mission and Strategy 2026-2030.
The UK energy system faces significant risks to its resilience at a time when dangers to energy security are intensifying, including:
- Terrorism
- Cyberattacks
- Geopolitical events
- Extreme weather
- Periods of dunkelflaute (lulls in solar and wind generation)
- Times of local network stress
- Supply chain disruptions
As these threats evolve, the electrification and digitalisation of the global economy have increased all of society’s reliance on resilient and controllable power systems. And yet, all too often, the role of the power generating sector is overlooked in the greater policy, planning and public debate. AMPS’ new strategy looks to change that.
Challenging outdated perceptions of the power generating systems industry
“This strategy is about challenging perceptions that are frankly outdated,” explains Alan Beech, Director General for AMPS.
“As the UK works towards net zero and increased electrification, generators are a vital part of providing stability to support the delivery of a more complex grid. But our industry is still wrongly stigmatised as an outdated use of fossil fuel, even though power generating systems are often run so infrequently that their total CO₂ footprint is minimal.
“There’s a huge societal blind spot at the moment and, along with our members, we want to shift the perception of backup and temporary power from being an emissions issue to being recognised as an essential part of delivering a more sustainable, yet resilient, grid.”
Protecting energy system resilience in the UK
AMPS’ strategy highlights the importance of having emergency and standby power, alongside decentralised and temporary power generating systems, at the heart of protecting energy system resilience in the UK, supporting an increasingly electrified and digital society.
Beech explains why the AMPS strategy is so important: “The blackouts we saw in Spain and Portugal should act as a warning for the UK. They showed us just how fragile a modern grid can be. We only have to look at the power outage at Heathrow Airport to see that these types of crises can happen here as well. Too many people forget that behind every digital service is a need for power. When that fails, everything from hospital lights to online transactions stops working.
“Our strategy is about making sure we not only learn the lessons from these failures, but that we build the resilience to prevent them in the first place.”
AMPS will therefore use its platform as the Trusted Voice of the power generating systems industry to strengthen understanding of the sector’s essential role in energy resilience and safeguarding Critical National Infrastructure. Through the strategy, AMPS sets out its goal to power a resilient future by amplifying members’ collective expertise and ensuring the industry’s voice is heard by governments, regulators, industry partners and key influencers across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
