Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success said Henry Ford in the last century. And it is the vision that links the major events that revolve around the world of energy, such as the Global Energy Transition (GET) Congress and Exhibition or Gastech. Thet are international platforms that allow the critical exchange of ideas, information, technologies and strategies and annualy involve all stakeholders in the energy world: representatives of traditional energy, renewable energy and energy that is still taking its first steps. If it is true that, however necessary, the transition path is not a free lunch, but a long and complex process, it is equally true that going it alone does not get you very far. We must face the challenge of decarbonization by creating a system, interconnecting expertise and innovations from different worlds: from industry to finance to institutions. RiEnergia spoke about this need with those who organize these events every year, Sarah Howell, VP Energy of DMF Events and Head of GET Congress & Exhibition, Simon Ford VP Energy of DMG Events and Head of Gastech.
Let’s start the interview by hearing Sarah Howell’s opinion.The first GET edition in Milan, from July 1st to July 3rd has been completely devoted to the energy transition. How was such an event conceived, mixing the energy supply chain and the energy intensive industries, the world of finance and international institutions? How useful is the interconnection and the exchange of ideas in order to achieve ambitious goals such as the decarbonisation of energy systems?
At DMG events, with over 35 years of experience and a portfolio of more than 115 annual events, energy has always been a cornerstone of our focus. Flagship events like ADIPEC and Gastech have helped shape critical dialogues, and now, the Global Energy Transition (GET) Congress builds on that legacy.
As the energy transition gained momentum over the past few years, we recognized a gap in the market: many energy-related events focus on individual sectors—Hydrogen, LNG, Cement, Mining, and others—but these often operate in silos. In reality, decarbonising the energy system demands cross-sectoral collaboration. No single industry can achieve the ambitious emissions targets alone; true progress requires the energy supply chain, hard-to-abate industries, finance, and international institutions to come together.
Through conversations with around 50 organisations across these sectors, we developed GET. The vision was to create a platform where energy, heavy industry, and finance could demonstrate their actions towards decarbonisation, both through demonstrating products and technologies via our exhibition and by using the Project X-Change and Road Maps to Net Zero conference sessions to explain strategies and tactics.
Just as climate change does not respect borders, industry cannot afford to remain siloed. Our manufacturing and energy ecosystems are deeply interconnected. For real emissions reduction, it’s crucial that we break down barriers between sectors, sharing ideas, know-how, and technology across industries.
The energy transition is already challenging all productive sectors. In your opinion, which are the greatest challenges the energy industry has to face and how this world is preparing itself for what’s to come?
The energy industry faces a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, it has a critical responsibility to keep the lights on—literally powering homes, businesses, and entire economies. On the other hand, the sector is under immense pressure to decarbonise.
Commitments made during COP28 and other global forums demand a shift away from fossil fuels, and the energy industry must demonstrate tangible progress toward these goals. However, this is complicated by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the sheer scale of the transition. Public perception often oversimplifies the challenge, with expectations that we can switch to renewables or decarbonised energy sources overnight. The reality, though, is more complex—immediate, large-scale transitions could jeopardise energy security and living standards.
At the same time, many developing nations need affordable and reliable energy to grow, and renewable solutions aren’t always powerful or cost-effective enough to meet these urgent needs. The question becomes: how do we balance the rapid shift away from fossil fuels with the necessity of providing energy access and fostering economic development, particularly in less-developed regions?
How is the energy industry preparing itself for what’s to come?
The energy industry is preparing for the future by investing heavily in innovation, technology, and infrastructure that can support a more sustainable energy ecosystem. Renewable energy capacity, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, is expanding rapidly, but so too are advancements in energy storage, hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear power—key technologies that will help stabilise grids as we reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
There is also a growing emphasis on collaboration between industries, governments, and financial institutions to mobilise the capital needed for this transformation. Public and private partnerships are accelerating, and many companies are setting ambitious net-zero targets, adapting their business models to incorporate sustainable practices while still ensuring energy reliability.
At the same time, energy efficiency measures are becoming more widespread, with digitalisation and smart grid technologies helping to optimise energy use. This is crucial not only for reducing emissions but also for managing the increased complexity of an energy system that integrates diverse sources like renewables, traditional energy, and emerging technologies.
However, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different regions are preparing in different ways, taking into account their own unique energy needs, resources, and economic development priorities. For example, while Europe may focus on accelerating renewables, developing nations may require a more gradual transition that balances the need for affordable energy with sustainability.
In this context, platforms like GET are essential, providing a space for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange. The world is preparing, but the path forward is filled with challenges that require ongoing cooperation, innovation, and policy alignment.
A question for Simon Ford VP Energy, DMG events Head, Gastech. Next year Milan will host another big event such as Gastech 2025. What do you expect from this new edition of a consolidated event and with such a far-reaching audience? Which issues will be central in the next Gastech 2025? Do you plan to introduce major innovations to the event?
Responding to the current and future role of natural gas in supporting the global energy transition, Gastech 2025 will serve as the premium platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and experienced energy professionals to unite around the transformative power of natural gas. It has been well documented that energy security is a topic of unprecedented importance in Europe, as geopolitical disruptions and a renewed commitment to accelerating net zero ambitions have tested existing supply chains and infrastructure, and revealed the pressing need to invest in a stable and affordable energy transition. Natural gas and LNG have solidified their position as Europe’s resource of choice, where Gastech continues its crucial role in advancing the needs of the industry and facilitating dialogue towards a lower carbon future.
Whilst the core elements of the proven Gastech platform will continue, there are many new areas to explore which will ensure the event continues to evolve with the industry and continue to provide new opportunities for our existing customer base and new entrants to the market. Areas that we see playing an increasingly important role in 2025 will include: the rapid acceleration of AI, the impact that AI can have to drive energy efficiency, as well as the power demand from data centres that needs to be factored into the future supply mix. We will also provide a critical platform for supply chain dialogue in order to advance global strategic partnerships, reduce supply bottlenecks and facilitate business connections. Showcasing climate technology start ups will also be a primary focus for next year, where there is firm acknowledgement on the need to recognise, promote and advance innovation in order to deliver energy transformation.
Gastech 2025 will continue to facilitate the conversations and cross-sector partnerships that can enable continued growth and decarbonisation in the natural gas and LNG sector. Whether it’s aligning on supportive investment and regulatory frameworks to bolster energy access and affordability, securing funding for innovative gas projects, hydrogen developments and the scaling of climate technologies, or demonstrating the latest technologies to improve operational efficiency, Gastech 2025 will deliver the premier platform for governments and businesses to address these topics and achieve their economic and climate goals.
