Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This subtopic brings together content on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is relevant to the energy industry and energy lawyers.

Impact of coronavirus on the Energy Industry

The coronavirus pandemic, which broke out in early 2020, caused a number of key areas of concern for the energy industry and energy lawyers. Our content in this subtopic contains guidance and analysis relating to these issues; in particular, the potential contractual implications and wider impact on the market. While some of these issues are more historic in nature, much of the content will continue to be relevant in certain future circumstances, such as the outbreak of another pandemic or equivalent globally disruptive set of events.

•
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and contractual obligations—checklist sets out some of the key issues to consider when a party is unable to comply with its contractual obligations due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), including force majeure
•
Practice Note: Force Majeure in oil and gas contracts provides an overview of the main considerations which arise when drafting

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Energy News

Ofgem launches call for input on future approach to energy system cost allocation and recovery

Ofgem has published a call for input seeking views on whether there are fairer and more efficient ways to allocate and recover energy system costs, including looking at a range of potential alternative pricing models for consumers. The review forms part of Ofgem’s work to support the transition to a cleaner, more secure and resilient energy system as the make-up of system costs changes due to reduced reliance on fossil fuels and increased investment in infrastructure. It plans to explore how costs can be shared to support smarter and more efficient energy use, improve protections for consumers and contribute to decarbonisation and economic growth.

Ofgem rejects NESO request for competitive tender of WCN2 transmission project

Ofgem has rejected the National Energy System Operator (NESO)’s request to competitively tender a sub-component of project WCN2, concluding that it does not qualify for onshore competition under section 6(3) of the Electricity (Early-Model Competitive Tenders for Onshore Transmission Licences) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/446. The project did not meet all qualifying criteria, specifically the network needs case requirement. Ofgem was unable to confirm the needs case for WCN2 due to uncertainty over the impact of connections reform, the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and the Clean Power Plan 2030 on future network requirements. It was also unable to do so ahead of the transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan 2 Refresh (tCSNP2 Refresh), expected from NESO in 2026, citing the risk that WCN2 may not be required or that an alternative option could better meet network needs.

Environmental Agency publishes planning recommendations for sustainable development in English industrial clusters

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a report, outlining key recommendations for planning reforms aimed at supporting sustainable growth in England's industrial clusters, with a focus on the Humber, Teesside and HyNet (North West) regions. The report stresses the need for industrial clusters to be better recognised in future planning reforms. It further recommends that industrial clusters be proactively incorporated into local growth plans and developed with the necessary environmental infrastructure, such as an adequate water supply. The report also identifies significant challenges facing these clusters, including limited water resource availability and climate-related risks. To address these challenges, the EA proposes the implementation of strategic growth plans and cluster-scale planning tools. Additionally, the EA has published an associated collection of technical documents examining the environmental capacity for deploying carbon capture and hydrogen production technology within these clusters. This collection includes detailed evidence reviews covering water availability, air quality, flood risk assessments, and potential environmental impacts.

Ofgem launches consultation on RIIO-3 initial licence conditions

Ofgem has launched a consultation on proposed licence conditions to implement the RIIO-3 price control settlement for the electricity transmission, gas transmission and gas distribution sectors. The consultation seeks feedback on proposed changes to Standard Licence Conditions, Standard Special Conditions and Special Conditions, as well as amendments to the Price Control Financial Instruments. The consultation closes on 16 September 2025.