Utility Week Live, Europe's only pan-utility exhibition, returned for 2026 -
bigger and better than ever.

Utility Week Live returned to the NEC, Birmingham (halls 17/18) with its biggest-ever content programme across seven stages, featuring more than 250 expert speakers.

Over two days, the exhibition brought together 4,000+ energy and water professionals for cross-sector collaboration and award-winning content. The sector’s top leaders, including Zoë Yujnovich, Chief Executive of National Grid; Tim Jarvis, Interim Chief Executive, Ofgem; James Earl, Chief Executive of Future Energy NetworksMark Thurston, Chief Executive of Anglian WaterJodie Giles, Programme Director - Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Innovate UK and Heidi Mottram, Chief Executive of Northumbrian Water, tackled the industry’s biggest challenges. It was the only place where this line-up of utility C-suite executives and senior leaders were under one roof.

The exhibition brought together utilities, networks, regulators, solution providers and more, with innovation zones and interactive programmes that provided practical insights and solutions to the sector’s biggest challenges, supported by over 200 exhibitors who showcased market-leading technologies and innovations.
 

 

 

7
Action-packed theatres packed with live content, aimed at solving utilities' biggest challenges
250+
Expert speakers who shared actionable insights to help you navigate the most complex challenges
4,000
Utilities professionals came together for cross-sector collaboration, networking, and innovation
200+
Exhibitors showcased the market's best technologies and solutions

TWO DAYS OF AWARD-WINNING CONTENT ACROSS 7 NEW ZONES

Utility weekThe only place to put your asset management solution in front of buyers from every major UK water, gas and electricity utility under one roof. Connecting you directly with the directors, heads of network operations and engineering leaders who control the spend — in a zone built entirely around their purchasing priorities. 

Innovation in utilitiesThe UK's utilities are investing at an unprecedented scale and pace — and the buyers controlling that spend are at UWL27. The Capital Projects Zone puts you directly in front of the project directors and procurement leads accountable for the biggest infrastructure investment programmes the sector has ever seen. 

Infrastructure deliveryThe only place to put your digital, data or AI solution in front of the CTOs, CDOs and heads of digital from every major UK utility — under one roof, in a zone built around the enterprise digital priorities they are actively investing in. 

Customer and communitiesThe only place to put your customer, communications or payments solution in front of the customer service directors, vulnerability leads, heads of comms and stakeholder engagement professionals from every major UK utility — all under one roof, in a zone built around their priorities. 

Digital utilities Put your environmental technology, solution or innovation in front of the leakage managers, water quality directors, sustainability leads, capital sustainability professionals, net zero programme managers and environmental innovators from every major UK utility — in a zone built around the funded stewardship obligations of AMP8 and RIIO: CSO remediation, leakage reduction, catchment management, biodiversity net gain, low-carbon construction and net zero delivery. 

Nature, climate and resiliencePut your HR technology, safety solution, learning platform or talent proposition in front of the HR directors, transformation leads, heads of talent and health and safety managers from every major UK utility — in a zone built around the people, skills and culture agenda driving one of the most significant workforce transitions in the sector's history. 

Energy Flexibility at UWL Put your flexibility platform, storage technology or aggregation proposition in front of the DNO flexibility directors, NESO leads, aggregators and energy retailer flexibility managers who are actively building GB's flexibility market — in a zone built specifically for this community. 

2026 hosted the  biggest line-up of utilities C-suite leaders in the show’s history, including  CEOs from Future Energy Networks,  Anglian Water, National GridNorthumbrian Water, Ofgem, Sizewell C, and many more. 

The show floor was packed with exciting new features and much-loved returning favourites!

NEW! THE SQUARE sponsored by AtkinsRéalis
New! The Square

The Square, sponsored by AtkinsRéalis, was the show’s central hub and the go-to point for:

  • Information, support, and guidance, including help to navigate the show and plan what to see
  • Meeting up with colleagues and peers to network throughout the day
  • Refreshments, drinks, and street food

AtkinsRéalis
 


 

NEW! THE HUB
New! Deployment Hub

The Hub was a new space to continue the conversation from theatre sessions, take part in interactive workshops, and join ‘Meet the Innovator’ sessions across both days. You could find out ways to apply what you learned (in the content sessions) to your business and connect with innovators whose solutions could support your goals.
 

BLOCKAGE BUSTERS!
Back by popular demand! Blockage Busters

Back by popular demand, the Blockage Busters competition returned to the show floor for 2026! The high-pressure race to clear a sewer blockage spotlighted the vital skills needed to keep our drains flowing. Feature in partnership with Southern Water and Cappagh Browne.
 

NEW! CGI CYBER ESCAPE 2.0
New! The Square

Did you have what it takes to beat the CGI Cyber Escape?

A new immersive experience on the show floor at UWL26, that teaches participants the basics of cyber security in an escape room!. 
 


 

FLEX AWARDS
The Flex Awards were back!

The Flex Awards celebrated innovators dedicated to advancing energy flexibility. They recognised creative ideas and strategies that pave the way for energy flexibility and make markets more inclusive and accessible.  
 

NEW! DIGGER SKITTLES AND HOOK A DUCK
The Flex Awards are back!

New challenge! 

Thousands of visitors got behind the controls of electric diggers in Digger Skittles and Hook a Duck! This challenge tested precision and coordination in two fun challenges that demonstrate how electrification reduces carbon emissions in construction.
 

Digger Skittles and Hook a Duck with Cappagh Browne

NEW! PARTNER PROGRAMME
NEW for 2026! The Partner Programme

The new Partner Programme was developed in association with leading innovators, thought leaders, supply chain partners, professional institutions, and trade bodies, offering a range of stage sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

UKPN, WUN, Northumbrian Water, CECA, EIC, Spring, FEN
Ofwat, ACE, british water, yep, igem, credo, stream

NETWORKING DRINKS SPONSORED BY SMS
NETWORKING DRINKS SPONSORED BY SMS

Sponsored by: 

SMS Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www.sms-plc.com
 

SPEAKERS FROM UWL26

This year's show hosted more than 275 of the industry’s most effective leaders.

 Speakers included Nigel Cann, Chief Executive, Sizewell C; Mark Thurston, Chief Executive, Anglian Water; Zoë Yujnovich, Chief Executive, National Grid; Roch Cheroux, Chief Executive, Welsh Water; Juliet Davenport, Commissioner, Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission; Chris Norbury, Chief Executive, E.on UKAngela Needle, Director of Strategy, Cadent Gas; Jo Dow, Chief Executive, Business Stream; Heidi Mottram, Chief Executive, Northumbrian Water; Helen Wakeham, Director of Water, EA; James Earl, Chief Executive, Future Energy Networks; Chris Walters, Interim Chief Executive, Ofwat; Rose Macfarlane, Water Strategy and Legislation, DEFRA; and many more.

 

EXHIBITORS FROM UWL26

Take a look at the solution providers who showcased market-leading technologies and solutions.
 


 



 

WHAT THE SECTOR SAYS ABOUT UWL

 

 

Exhibiting or sponsoring has never been easier. Here's how you can get involved
There are many ways your business can get involved in next year's show; demonstrating thought leadership by taking a speaking slot, increasing brand awareness by sponsoring, and generating leads and new contacts by taking a stand. See all packages in the new brochure.

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