9.30 am

Registration and exhibition viewing

10.00 am

Welcome

• Ben Saltmarsh, Head of Wales, National Energy Action

10.15 am

Keynote address

• Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip

10.30 am

Cold Homes, Harsh Realities: The human cost of unaffordable energy

This panel session will focus on the ongoing impacts of unaffordable energy prices in cold homes across Wales. It will address the depth of hardship low-income and vulnerable households continue to face, and highlight what change is needed. It will feature representatives from frontline organisations and subject experts on key issues impacting those communities most affected.

• Chair: Danni Barnes, Director of Development and Partnerships, National Energy Action
• Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
• Meilyr Tomos, Energy Conservation Officer – Fuel Poverty, Gwynedd Council
• Amy Bainton, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Barnardo’s Cymru

11.30 am

Refreshment break and exhibition viewing

12 noon

Warm Homes, Healthy Futures: A call to collective action

The direct effects of cold homes continue to plague vulnerable households. This session will explore opportunities to work together to simultaneously tackle fuel poverty and preventable health inequalities in Wales. The discussion will emphasise the importance of warm homes as a preventative health priority and feature key partners from the health and energy sectors.

• Chair: Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action
• Dr Danielle Butler, Head of Development, National Energy Action
• Dr Gareth Morgan FRSPH, Bevan Exemplar Lead on Housing and Health, Hywel Dda University Health Board
• Dr Ffion Prothero, GP (Interest in health inequalities) and Cluster Lead for North West Flintshire, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
• Sophie Shorney, Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance Manager, Wales & West Utilities

1.00 pm

Lunch and exhibition viewing

2.00 pm

Breakout sessions

Turning up the Heat: How the 2026 Senedd elections could transform fuel poverty policy

The next Senedd Election is due to be held by 7 May 2026. At a crucial time in the Welsh political cycle, this session will explore how forthcoming Senedd reform may impact fuel poverty-related policymaking. It will feature key experts and stakeholders who will share their insights on the potential impacts of the election and opportunities for collaboration to secure positive political commitments.

• Chair: Peter Smith, Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Energy Action
• Dr Jac Larner, Lecturer in Politics, Cardiff University
• Dr Steffan Evans, Chief Executive, Bevan Foundation
• Panellist: Maisie Chatfield, Policy and Campaigns Officer, National Energy Action

Minimum Standards, Maximum Impact: Raising energy efficiency in Wales‘ private rented sector

Private renters in Wales are more likely to live in fuel poverty, highlighting the urgent need to upgrade the energy efficiency of rented properties across the country. This session will discuss the upcoming introduction of tighter Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards within the private rented sector. It will examine the opportunities improved regulation may bring and focus on how we can ultimately ensure tenants can enjoy warm and healthy homes. The panel will feature representatives from national and/or local government and the housing sector.

• Chair: Andrej Miller, Director of Homes, National Energy Action
• Jessica Skilbeck, Director, Net Zero Buildings, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK Government
• Jackie Hotchkiss, Team Manager Trading Standards, Shared Regulatory Services
• Akshita Lakhiwal, Net Zero Engagement Officer, TPAS Cymru

From the Ground Up: Empowering communities in times of need

Vulnerable households often face multiple challenges when navigating the complexities of crisis support and essential energy advice. This session will look to convey what barriers they face, what more can be done to support them, and the benefits of partnership working. It will feature community grassroots organisations to share their invaluable experiences of working on the ground.

• Chairs: Rebecca Jones and Gareth Thomas, Project Development Co-ordinators, National Energy Action
• Steven Donovan, Vulnerable Customer Lead, OVO and Reggie Al-Haddi, Chairman, Newport Yemeni Community Association
• Frank Farrer, Community Fuel Guidance Co-ordinator and Money Guider, Pembrokeshire FRAME

2.45 pm

Refreshment break and exhibition viewing

3.15 pm

Warmer, Greener, Fairer: Ensuring retrofit works for Wales’ most vulnerable

There remains an urgent need to upgrade the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes in Wales, making them much warmer, greener, healthier places to live. The way we heat our homes is changing, and this session will feature subject experts to explore what this means for low-income and vulnerable households and how we can deliver the right outcomes on retrofit for those who need it most.

• Chair: Andrej Miller, Director of Homes, National Energy Action
• Jessica Skilbeck, Director, Net Zero Buildings, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK Government
• Carol Driver, Head of Domestic Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty, Welsh Government
• David Farmer, Research Fellow, Energy House Labs, Salford University

4.15 pm

Look ahead and closing remarks

• Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action
• Ben Saltmarsh, Head of Wales, National Energy Action

4.30 pm

Close