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July came in hot, literally and figuratively. While the sun was busy breaking European solar power records, Coldplay managed to break the internet with a kiss cam scandal that had more drama than a Love Island finale.
Meanwhile, music history was made as Oasis kicked off their UK tour, their first live shows since 2009. For those of us who remember the first-time round, it’s been a nostalgic blast - bucket hats, parkas and all.
The Gallagher brothers reunion reminds us that even the most entrenched positions can shift. Case in point, President Trump meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Aberdeen, advocating for homegrown energy and maximising the potential of the UK North Sea. Trumps comments echoed those of GMB Union General Secretary Gary Smith, who warned that without a plan to sustain the basin, the UK has no credible energy transition strategy. It’s a point I’ve often reflected on during panel discussions - it’s not about choosing sides, it’s about recognising that energy sovereignty and security demand the right fiscal policy and a balanced approach, where clean and conventional energy both have a role to play.
And while the sector debates strategy, one thing is clear, leadership matters. Watching the Lionesses lift the Euro trophy was a proud moment, and a reminder to the energy sector that women know how to lead. As someone who has spent their entire career in the energy sector, I see the progress we’ve made. However, POWERful Women’s Annual State of the Nation Report 2025 shows we’re still falling short, with just 8% of CEOs and 9% of Board Chairs in top energy companies being women. We’ve come a long way, but as a sector, we need to continue to raise our game.
Off-pitch wins for the UK energy sector are stacking up, especially for hydrogen, wind, and battery innovation.
It was great to see the UK Government greenlight ten projects under its first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1), a major boost for D2Zero company Hydrasun, which has expertise in developing offtaker infrastructure.
In parallel, the Government published its Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy, outlining over 40 actions to accelerate deployment across the country. With ambitions to install up to 29 GW by 2030, this strategy is a vital step toward a cleaner, more balanced energy grid.
And UKRI announced new funding to scale up battery research, innovation, and manufacturing. D2Zero company Powerstar is already making strides in this space, their work in smarter Voltage Optimisation, advanced Transformer technologies, and scalable Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will be key to unlocking a more resilient, renewables-powered grid.
While the world tuned in for drama and nostalgia, D2Zero companies were busy delivering the future of energy.
D2Zero company Kelton, has been shaping the future of hydrogen infrastructure. In July they completed a project with the HyNTS programme, a UK initiative to repurpose the gas transmission network for hydrogen. Working alongside National Gas and DNV, Kelton helped design and build a dedicated skid at the FutureGrid facility to test high-pressure, high-flow hydrogen meters. The goal? To make sure hydrogen can be measured and balanced across the network with the same confidence we’ve built around natural gas.
Rob O’Neill also joined Kelton as Chief Business Development Officer, bringing added commercial focus to a team already delivering at pace.
D2Zero company Fuel Cell Systems helped the hydrogen sector achieve firsts in July, bringing their hydrogen refuelling station to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was used for refuelling during the world’s first hydrogen powered motorsport championship.
Driving another first, the HyHAUL Mobility project announced their appointment of Fuel Cell Systems to help create the UK’s first hydrogen freight corridor. Selected as the official hydrogen refuelling partner, Fuel Cell Systems will support the rollout of a programme that will redefine heavy duty road transport in the UK. The project aims to deploy 30 hydrogen-powered HGVs by 2026, scaling to 300 by 2030.
D2Zero company nexos continues to build momentum. Its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) division has secured £8 million in contracts since January, an impressive follow-on from the team’s 50% headcount growth in 2024.
nexos also welcomed a new CEO, Scott McGinigal, who joins from Spirit Energy, where he served as Technical Services & HSES Director. I had the pleasure of working with Scott during my time at Spirit and saw first-hand his ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, drilling, operations, decommissioning, and projects. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for nexos as they penetrate the onshore market.
D2Zero company Powerstar is sharpening its edge. With Solon Mardapittas returning as CTO and Alexandra Kuncewicz joining as Business Development Manager, the company is doubling down on innovation. Their recent webinar with the Food and Drink Federation is definitely worth a listen. It explored how Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are helping producers and retailers overcome energy constraints.
And finally, D2Zero company Hydrasun is making strategic moves across training, innovation, and hydrogen infrastructure. The launch of its new ECITB training course on Hand Torque Bolted Connection Techniques is a practical step forward in workforce development and safety. Its involvement in the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub was also highlighted in bp’s 2024 economic impact report, recognising Hydrasun’s growing role in enabling hydrogen deployment across the region.
So yes, July gave us kiss cams and comeback tours, but it also gave us progress. Not the abstract kind, but the kind you can measure in megawatts, contracts, and capability. From hydrogen infrastructure to HVAC delivery, battery innovation to leadership shifts, D2Zero companies didn’t just keep pace, they moved it forward. It’s a reminder that while headlines come and go, progress is built through consistent action and clear intent.
