Season 3, Episode 3 – Game Changers: Energising the transition via tech, partnerships, and more

Lorraine Johnston

Hello and welcome to ESG Matters at Ashurst. I'm Lorraine Johnston, a partner specialising in ESG regulation at Ashurst. You're listening to season three of Game Changers.From innovators at the cutting edge of technology to impact investors funding a cleaner energy future, each and every one of our guests is changing the game in their field.

In today's episode, you'll hear my conversation with Nishikant Gupta, Head of ESG at Conrad Energy. Hello Nish, and welcome to the podcast.

Nishikant Gupta 

Hi Lorraine. Lovely to be here.

Lorraine Johnston 

I wondered if we could start the conversation, if you could just give us a little bit of background about yourself and your role at Conrad Energy?

Nishikant Gupta 

So I'm a specialist in climate change, sustainability, water management and biodiversity conservation, with strong grassroots experience and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, which I have obtained over the past 15 years working in areas impacted by climate change. And I've also worked very closely with government agencies and NGOs, both from a "top down" approach and a "bottom up" approach.

My collaborative approach has - and continues to - build lasting partnerships and that have helped me drive meaningful impact through my work. At Conrad Energy, I lead the development and implementation of environment, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability strategy, with a focus on sustainable procurement, waste and water management and regulatory reporting. I also oversee the creation of annual ESG reports and policies and drive initiatives in climate action, biodiversity (in particular, biodiversity net-gain) and energy efficiency to support our net zero goals. I also manage projects that deliver environmental and social value through our community fund.

Lorraine Johnston 

Sounds like a lot that you are juggling! But really interesting and really impactful. Just on that, so I guess looking at what does success looks like for Conrad energy? And how do you take some of those different strands of your role and measure the sustainable impact of your work?

Nishikant Gupta

Conrad Energy defines success as delivering fast, flexible and reliable energy solutions that accelerate the UK's low carbon transition. Now that means, while minimising environmental impact and creating lasting community value. Our vision is also to be a responsible energy provider shaping a more sustainable future where we are based.

We aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this is driven by a strategic mix of our flex gen (flexible generator) sites, battery storage and renewable integration. By ensuring reliable power when renewables actually fall short, we help maintain grid reliability.

And yes, we currently use gas at our flex gen sites as a low carbon way to support renewable integration. But as battery storage improves, we are working to shift our flexible fleet towards even more sustainable solutions.

Now, community engagement, as I mentioned, is central to our approach, and we involve local stakeholders in project planning where possible and deliver tangible benefits through initiatives like the community fund. And this is done in collaboration and discussion with the community where we work, and we set up different projects. And building onto that, environmental stewardship is also a core priority.

So I will build on this example: At sites like Larport solar farm, we enhanced biodiversity through efforts such as reintroducing Native Black Poplar trees - now, these are rare trees in Britain - to restore the local ecosystem, and this was this was identified post-consultation with local organisations and the parish that we worked with.

Now we also track a sustainable impact through a comprehensive framework focused on our environmental and social performance. This includes anything from reducing emission, improving energy efficiency, and aligning our reporting with the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) at a global level.

And if I come down a little bit in a more granular level, at the project level, we measure biodiversity, the biodiversity net gain, community wellbeing, energy performance, and also, very importantly, we work as suppliers to promote responsible procurement and also waste management across operations. And we also - taking a step ahead - we want to bring our suppliers on our sustainability journey and ensure we are working hand-in-hand with them as we move ahead in this and the future financial years.

Lorraine Johnston 

And that leads beautifully on to my next question around collaborations and partnerships. How important are collaborations and partnerships in achieving Conrad Energy's sustainability objectives, and could you share an example of a successful collaboration which has had an impact?

Nishikant Gupta 

Collaboration is central to Conrad Energys' sustainability strategy. We work closely with communities, suppliers and government bodies to deliver energy solutions that are both effective and responsible-they're our two very strong pillars.

A standout example is the Laport solar farm. This is a 44 megawatt peak project co-developed with local stakeholders. It generates over 40,000 megawatt p/hour of renewable electricity annually. Achieves 132% biodiversity net gain - and this is way beyond the 10% mandatory set by the UK Government. And it also protects a rare local tree, Black Poplar, along with other biodiversity. So there are otters at are sites, there are other birds which are there, and we are working very closely with local communities to ensure that it's maintained.

And beyond individual projects, we embed sustainability across our supply chain and actively contribute to global clean energy initiatives. And this is all to help extend the progress towards the 2030, and 2050, climate goals set up by the UK Government.

Lorraine Johnston 

So that sounds as if there's lots of different areas of focus and work streams happening at Conrad Energy. I guess that leads me on to my next question: How is innovation and technology playing a role in driving sustainable impact at Conrad Energy? And what sort of emerging technologies are you particularly excited about?

Nishikant Gupta 

Innovation and technology are central to Conrad Energy's sustainability strategy. We invest in advanced solutions such as flex-gen and battery storage to strengthen grid reliability and also enable greater integration of renewables, supporting the UK's decarbonisation goals.

Take, for example, our ION+ platform which leverages machine learning to optimise energy distribution, and that is activating the right asset at the right time to meet the grid demand while minimising gas uses. So that's a very, very good example here.

Looking ahead, we are developing our climate change adaptation plans for our sites using data driven risk assessments aligned with global frameworks to address climate-related physical risks such as floods and heat waves, and we are actively investigating emerging technologies, including AI-driven grid optimisation, next-gen battery chemistries and nature-based solutions to enhance performance and deliver measurable environmental and social value.

Lorraine Johnston 

So that's really interesting having heard more about technology at Conrad Energy. Shifting the focus to you, what are some of the key lessons that you have learned in your capacity as Head of ESG, and how has this shaped or changed Conrad Energy's approach to sustainability?

Nishikant Gupta 

Yes, so it's been a learning journey, definitely, like any job is. So as Head of ESG at Conrad Energy, I've learned that a proactive, integrated approach is key to driving meaningful sustainability outcomes.

One of the most valuable lessons is the importance of early stakeholder engagement. Projects like the Laport solar farm showed that involving local communities and biodiversity experts, from the outset, helped build trust and unlock deeper environmental benefits, such as the restoration of endangered Black Poplar trees, protecting local biodiversity. And that knowledge was there, and once we tapped into that, you know, we were able to learn so much more.

Another key insight is the power of data driven-decision making. Tools like ION+ platform, which uses machine learning to optimise energy distribution, have improved efficiency and reduced our emissions. So these highlight the need to embed technology across the ESG initiatives as we move ahead, and these experiences have shaped a strategy that prioritises transparency, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and also alignment with global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, all in in the way, you know, reinforcing our long-term commitment to environmental and social value. So it's been a mix. But yes, technology is playing a crucial role in terms of what we're doing in the ESG area.

Lorraine Johnston 

Amazing. And I guess that's very much in the moment. If you look to the future, how do you see the role of future generations in driving some of that change? And I guess, what advice would you give to people who are passionate about making a difference in this area?

Nishikant Gupta 

Future generations are essential to advancing sustainability. What I've realised through our graduate program as well, which we have at Conrad Energy, is their fresh perspectives, digital fluency and urgency around climate and social justice are reshaping how we approach long-term responsibility.

At Conrad Energy, we see the innovation and drive as vital to building a low-carbon, inclusive future. And the second part of the question where, for those eager to make a difference, my advice would be to stay curious and informed. Don't shy away from asking the "whys" and "hows". Sustainability is a constant leader. It's a vast area, but it's also constantly evolving sector shaped by emerging technology, policies and, of course, global frameworks, which are changing every now and then.

Be bold in your vision, but grounded in practical action. What's the impact of your work? Ask those questions: "What are benefits I'm going to get from what I'm doing?" Collaboration is key (which I started with in the beginning) working across disciplines, whether it's within your office or within the sectors, often sparks the most impactful solutions. And I've learned this over the past 15 years: brilliant ideas come when you collaborate.

At the same time and on a personal level: lead with integrity and authenticity. So whether you're just starting out or already in a leadership role, trust is built through transparency, how honest you are in whatever work you do. And above all, I would say: Act. Even small steps matter. So every effort builds a momentum and inspires others to join your journey, and it will eventually lead you to your final goal, but don't shy away from taking those small steps. So I think that that would be my message to the younger generation.

Lorraine Johnston 

Nish, what a lovely way to end our conversation. Those are some amazing messages that you've put so very beautifully and they resonate certainly with myself and I'm sure our listeners. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and joining us today. It's been a delight to talk to you.

Nishikant Gupta 

Thank you very much. Lorraine, I appreciate it.

Lorraine Johnston 

Thank you for listening to this episode of ESG Matters @ Ashurst. I hope you found this episode insightful. To subscribe to future episodes of Game Changers and to hear previous episodes, click on the link in the show notes or search ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And while you're there, please feel free to leave a rating or a review. And finally, to learn more about all Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts. In the meantime, thanks again for listening, and goodbye for now.