Est. Reading: 4 minutes
01/25

Pioneering Sustainability: Simon Millage on Energy Transition, Innovation, and Global Challenges

Chris Haywood
Director - Strategy & Consulting
Director - Strategy & Consulting
Chris is the Director of Strategy & Consulting at The Consultancy Group, specialising in Partner-level hires into Consulting across EMEA. He leads a dual-focused Strategy Practice: one team works with top Management Consultancies (MBB, Big 4, Boutiques), while the other sources world-class strategy professionals for corporate clients. Chris’s expertise spans industries such as technology, media, aerospace, financial services, and healthcare.

When exploring the energy sector’s transition to sustainability, Simon Millage stands out as a seasoned advisor with unparalleled expertise. Having previously served as a senior partner at EY-Parthenon and EY, Simon now operates as an independent advisor, leveraging his extensive experience in value-led sustainability to help organisations navigate one of the most significant shifts of our time.

Simon’s insights offer a window into the intricate dynamics of energy transition and the need for innovation, collaboration, and long-term vision.

A Global Perspective on Energy Transition

The scope of the energy transition is staggering and globally “the numbers are difficult to comprehend,” Simon says.  “Energy transition is unlike anything humanity has faced before,” Simon explains. “The scale is incomprehensible—on a global level, the transition demands trillions of dollars in investment and affects millions of jobs. In Europe alone, it’s estimated to require over 1.7 trillion euros in infrastructure and energy generation—a scale eleven times larger than the Marshall Plan (Economic Recovery Act of 1948) post-World War II.”

Simon highlights the complexity of this transformation, from shifting global energy markets to the need for new industrial strategies. “We’re talking about six million job losses and eleven million jobs created,” he adds. “This isn’t just about decarbonising energy—it’s a complete reimagining of how economies work.”

Two countries dominate this transformation: China, with its long-term industrial strategies, and the United States, whose policies are reshaping the global investment landscape. “China invests with a 50-year vision,” Simon notes. “They’re leading in electric vehicles, batteries, and lithium reserves. Meanwhile, the US has committed over $2 trillion through landmark initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which focuses on energy transition, and the CHIPS Act, aimed at advancing technology development. Together, these policies are creating a magnet for global investment and innovation.”

The UK’s Challenge: From Innovation to Industrialisation

While Simon commends the UK’s leadership in research and development (R&D), he is candid about its shortcomings. “The UK is a hotbed for innovation, but we’ve fallen short on turning those ideas into industrialised solutions,” he says. “We excel at creating intellectual property but fail to establish the factories and supply chains needed to scale these innovations into global products.”

Simon believes this failure stems from a lack of cohesive industrial strategy. “There’s no clear linkage between R&D investments and long-term economic returns. We’re seeing other nations outpace us because they align their industrial policies with strategic goals.”

The UK Policy Problem: Certainty Versus Instability

Simon points to government policy instability as a significant barrier to energy transition. “Policy changes happen faster than technological advancements or financing in energy. That unpredictability drives away investment,” he explains. “Capital flows to where there’s clarity, even if the returns aren’t extraordinary. If governments flip-flop on policies, it’s impossible to attract the level of investment needed.”

Simon contrasts this with China and the Middle East, where long-term planning underpins energy investments. “These regions see energy transition as an opportunity to dominate markets, and they act accordingly. They’re not just reacting—they’re leading.”

The Role of Technology in Transition

Despite the challenges, Simon remains optimistic about the role of technology in shaping a sustainable energy future. “The UK and US are leaders in emerging technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS),” he says. “These innovations have the potential to decarbonise energy production while maintaining reliability.”

However, Simon is sceptical about hydrogen’s role in the UK’s strategy. “Hydrogen works well for hard-to-abate sectors like steel and concrete, but the UK doesn’t have those industries at scale anymore. Investing heavily in hydrogen without considering its practical applications here feels misguided.”

A Global Race with Existential Stakes

Simon warns of the dire consequences if the UK and Europe fail to accelerate their energy transitions. “This isn’t just about environmental impacts, though those are significant,” he says. “It’s about energy security and economic stability. Relying on high risk or disruptive foreign states for energy makes us vulnerable. The war in Ukraine showed how disruptions in supply chains can ripple across economies.”

Simon also emphasises the economic opportunities at stake. “Energy transition isn’t just a challenge—it’s a chance to lead. Countries that invest wisely now will dominate future markets.”

Final Thoughts

Simon’s perspective is both sobering and inspiring. As a leader navigating the crossroads of energy, policy, and innovation, his work reflects the urgency of addressing one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

“The energy transition isn’t a choice; it’s a necessity,” he concludes. “The question isn’t whether we’ll transition, but how effectively we’ll do it. The countries and companies that get it right will shape the next century.”

In a world grappling with rising costs, geopolitical instability, and environmental pressures, Simon’s leadership offers a blueprint for how industries can balance innovation with pragmatism—and turn challenges into transformative opportunities.

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