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How we create a low carbon world explored at Harold Wilson Lecture

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Dorothy Thompson, Chief Executive of Drax Group, will deliver the annual Harold Wilson Lecture at the University of Bradford.

Entitled “The challenges of running a low-carbon electricity grid, the lecture is the second in an annual series that honours the former Prime Minister and first Chancellor of the University.

The lecture which will outline the importance of a low carbon grid in Britain and the challenges this presents, takes place on Wednesday 1 November 2017, 18.00 to 19.15, at the Norcroft Centre Auditorium at the University’s city centre campus,

Dorothy will explore the future of the UK power system and the urgent need for low-carbon, renewable power. She will look at the technology needed to make this happen and the challenges that need to be overcome.

Dorothy said: “To make a success of a very low carbon world we need a holistic approach that fundamentally changes the way electricity is generated, supplied and used. I am looking forward to discussing this topic at the University of Bradford and am honoured to have been asked to host this year’s Harold Wilson lecture.”

In 2016, as part of the University's 50th Anniversary, in honour of its first Chancellor, the Prime Minister, Lord Harold Wilson of Rievaulx, and of his great foresight in setting up a technology university such as Bradford, the University initiated the prestigious Harold Wilson Lecture Series.

Bradford is one of a handful of universities founded as technology universities representing a key component of Harold Wilson’s vision for improving the British economy via ‘the white heat of technology’ and the University wished to recognise this in its 50th year, and annually thereafter, by inviting a high-profile speaker from the world of politics and technology to the University.

Harold Wilson was the First Chancellor of the University of Bradford from its founding in 1966 until 1985.

Dorothy Thompson was appointed CEO of Drax Group plc in September 2005. The Group’s principal activities are renewable electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers, and production of compressed wood pellets for use in electricity and heat generation. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Eaton Corporation plc and the Court of the Bank of England.

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