GB electricity and gas supply/retail regulation

Introduction

This is an overview of the key content to be found in our GB electricity and gas supply/retail regulation subtopic. It briefly explains the nature of this content and provides links to it. For details of our content providing a more general overview of how the GB energy market fits together, see the Overarching GB gas and electricity market regulation—overview.

GB electricity and gas supply/retail regulation—content

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Practice Note: UK government energy bills support—overview summarises key UK government support from 2022 onwards, both for domestic and non-domestic customers (including businesses, charities and public sector organisations), to assist them in managing the increasing cost of energy bills. It covers the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-standard customers, the Energy Bill Discount Scheme, the Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payments, the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bills Support Scheme, the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding and Alternative Fuel Payments
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Practice Note: The Energy White Paper—an overview [Archived] considers some of the key measures announced in the Energy White Paper published by the former UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

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Latest Energy News

Revised National Planning Policy Framework published

Planning analysis: The government has published a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Key changes from the previous version, published in December 2023, impact green belt policy and policy on establishing housing need and housing land supply. There is also greater policy support for infrastructure and community facilities, among other changes. A consultation response, published on the same day, sets out the government’s commitments to wider changes to the planning system, including changes to the regime under the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), and changes to planning fees. This is a brief summary of the key changes; further analysis on the implications will follow.

Energy weekly highlights—12 December 2024

This week's edition of Energy weekly highlights includes: two news analyses on (i) key UK and international climate litigation developments in 2024, with a focus on the energy sector and potential trends for 2025 and beyond and (ii) the outcomes of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also announced a comprehensive Plan for Change, outlining key milestones to deliver national missions by the end of the current parliament, including securing home-grown energy and aiming for at least 95% of clean power generation by 2030. In addition, this week, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced the signing of contracts for the UK's first carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) projects in Teesside, accompanied by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) awarding the UK’s first carbon storage licence to the Northern Endurance Partnership for its Endurance site located off the Teesside coast. DESNZ also published the response to its December 2023 consultation on a market intervention to support hydrogen to power (H2P) deployment. We also cover announcements from the National Electricity System Operator (NESO), including the publication of a letter outlining proposed reforms to its grid connections process, and a consultation on methodologies for three key strategic network plans. Finally, Ofgem published its decision to implement a regulatory approval and funding framework for the onshore electricity transmission projects recommended in the second transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan (tC2NP2).

MHCLG publishes updated NPPF, PPG, and consultation response

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published an updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), following its July 2024 consultation on proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system. Alongside the updated NPPF, the MHCLG has published its formal response to the consultation. In addition, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has issued a ministerial statement outlining the proposed planning reforms and key changes. The updated NPPF introduces significant reforms to the planning system aimed at accelerating housebuilding and delivering 1.5 million homes. The changes to the NPPF for plan-making will take effect three months after its publication.

Consultation on proposals to UK Emissions Trading Scheme to include the maritime sector: what do operators need to know?

Environment analysis: The UK governments are consulting on plans to include emissions from the maritime sector in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. The scheme was launched in 2021 and is a key component of the UK’s net zero ambitions. It aims to decarbonise aviation, electricity and industry by limiting emissions and introducing trading permits, creating a carbon price that encourages emissions reductions. Paul Collins, senior associate at Ashfords LLP, provides his analysis in this republished article.