ABSTRACT:  After almost a decade of accelerating momentum towards a clean energy transition, the last 18 months have witnessed a slowdown in pace and a weakening of shared global objectives across countries and regions.  Geopolitical tensions, energy transition affordability, and new policies have contributed to the current uncertainty. However, technology innovation is at the heart of the energy transition and the role of engineers across different engineering disciplines continues to be a key driving forces that will continue to propel society towards a clean energy transition despite the challenges in the current environment.

The discussion will lay the groundwork for how the energy transition has evolved over the past decade, the current headwinds facing it, and what technology innovation through engineering and other disciplines can do to restore confidence in the years ahead

BIOSKETCH:  Humayun leads McKinsey’s Global Energy and Materials Practice which covers the Firm’s work across energy and resources intensive industries. Humayun has worked with energy and resource companies, private capital players and clean tech companies over the past 25 years across all aspects of industry disruption, operations, strategy, and growth. He has co-authored several publications, including An affordable, reliable, competitive path to Net Zero, Net zero by 2035: A pathway to rapidly decarbonize the US power system, and Less carbon means more flexibility. He is also a regular panelist and participant in key industry events, including EEI, IRC, ISO Boards, WEF Davos, FT Moral Money, Climate Week, NARUC, Harvard Electricity Policy Group, and senior industry roundtables. Prior to McKinsey, Humayun worked at the World Bank, Global Environment Facility and Deloitte Emerging Markets Group.

Humayun holds a Masters in International Economics and Energy Studies from The Johns Hopkins University, along with a B.A. in Business and Political Science from University of Redlands.