Could we keep the lights on if someone tried to stop us?

Image issued by the Ministry of Defence showing of surface and sub-surface GUGI-associated vessels based at Olenya Guba in Russia | PA

When energy prices spike or tank, we talk about bills, taxes and targets. But the bigger question is simpler: could we keep the lights on if someone tried to stop us?

The UK’s offshore energy system is a sprawling network of 283 oil and gas fields and 2,800 wind turbines, alongside thousands of miles of pipelines and interconnectors linking to six terminals. It heats homes, powers hospitals and underpins industry. In an era of heightened geopolitical tension, critical infrastructure is no longer a background concern. It is becoming a frontline target of both physical and cyber threats in an increasingly hybrid warfare environment where disruption can be engineered without a single shot being fired.

That is why we are bringing industry and defence specialists to Aberdeen for our latest Security and Resilience Conference. The point is not to stoke fear, it is to normalise preparedness.

“Energy security is national security” has become a familiar phrase, but it is underpinned by relentless hard work to understand credible threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and maintain vigilance to respond and recover.

The conference agenda is structured around the intelligence cycle loop of Observe, Orientate, Decide and Act. Resilience is not a single technology purchase or a once-a-year exercise. In an increasingly uncertain and complex environment organisations need systems for horizon scanning so they can make sense of fast-changing information, take decisions under pressure and adapt procedures.

Observing for us means looking at how threats are evolving in both the physical and cyber domains. Offshore infrastructure is geographically exposed, technically complex and operationally interdependent. A malicious actor does not need to destroy an installation to create chaos. Disabled communications, compromised operational technology, or targeted misinformation can be enough to slow production, raise costs and rattle confidence.

Mark Wilson | Mark Wilson

Orientate means improving preparedness. The UK offshore sector is rightly proud of its safety culture and emergency response capability. Yet security resilience demands a wider lens particularly as digitalisation accelerates. Our conference is focusing on operational technology and digital infrastructure because modern offshore operations rely on connected systems, remote monitoring and complex supply chains. Preparedness now means understanding dependencies, rehearsing decision-making, and making sure the basics of up to date software and systems for incident communications, work properly under pressure.

Decide and Act, are where many response plans fail: not because people lack commitment, but because information is fragmented and roles between operators, contractors and agencies are unclear. That is why the conference is preceded by a security response exercise—an opportunity to test assumptions, highlight gaps and build relationships. In security, speed matters; in resilience, coordination matters more.

One of the key takeaways from last year’s inaugural conference was the need for better data sharing. That should now be treated as a national priority. The offshore energy industry is highly regulated and already works closely with public authorities, but deliberate disruption is a different category of risk. It demands trusted channels for timely intelligence, consistent reporting standards, and the confidence to share near-misses and emerging indicators without fear of reputational penalty.

Technology has a role to play—conference speakers will discuss emerging tools, including artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance maritime security. But the real advantage comes when technology is matched with shared operating pictures, well-drilled escalation routes, and joint protocols between industry, regulators and security partners.

So what should change? First, we need a clearer, long-term approach to protecting vital offshore infrastructure across the full energy mix. The North Sea is becoming a multi-purpose energy basin of oil and gas, offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon storage. Secondly, we should strengthen information-sharing arrangements so that operators and the supply chain can act on the same threat picture. In addition, we must invest in giving people the right skills with exercises that turn policy into muscle memory.

Global events are showing energy infrastructure must be regarded as a strategic focus of international security, and the UK must step up and secure its homegrown energy assets. That is not a slogan; it is an agenda for government and industry alike. If we want a secure, affordable transition, we must protect the offshore infrastructure that supplies the oil and gas we still rely on today and the renewable energy we are building for tomorrow.

Mark Wilson is OEUK director of energy operations and former Major, Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME)