The Permanent Way Institution recently hosted its annual electrification conference in the UK, drawing around 150 delegates. The conference was opened by President Mona Sihota and welcomed expert speakers from various electrification disciplines. Discussions revolved around the necessity of maintaining and enhancing existing electrification assets to accommodate climate change and increasing rail traffic. The funding agreed for the upcoming Control Period 7 underscores the importance of technology in reducing equipment lifecycle costs. Lord Patrick McLoughlin, former Secretary of State for Transport, highlighted rail's role in driving economic growth and regeneration. The conference also addressed extending third-rail electrification, exploring alternative traction sources like hydrogen and battery trains, and shared insights from efficient electrification projects in Germany. The overall sentiment was positive, with an emphasis on sustainable transportation and the need to align infrastructure development with environmental goals.