The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on enduring governance arrangements for the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme, including the associated technical and security functions. It is seeking views on proposals to designate Elexon as the SSES governance body via Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) modifications, to establish SSES Technical and Security Governance Groups (including membership and cost recovery arrangements), and to amend the BSC to support the programme, which underpins the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and Clean Flexibility Roadmap. A parallel Ofgem consultation on Capacity Market Rules change proposal CP391 seeks views on urgent changes to align Capacity Market metering definitions and processes with the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) Programme to ensure Capacity Providers using MHHS systems can continue to comply with Capacity Market Rules and participate effectively. The DESNZ consultation closes on 29 September 2025, while the Ofgem CP391 consultation closes on 13 January 2026 (page 1, pages 4–5).

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have launched a joint consultation on the code governance reform proposals that cover code manager licensing and secondary legislation, following the Energy Act 2023 receiving Royal Assent in October 2023. DESNZ and Ofgem are now proposing to develop the secondary legislation and regulatory framework for code managers, which will give Ofgem the authority to implement the reformed framework and increase strategic changes across the codes in the interest of consumers. The consultation will close on 5 May 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published a consultation which sets out their proposals for code manager standard licence conditions and code modification appeals to the Competition and Market Authority (CMA).

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have jointly published an energy digitalisation framework policy paper, fulfilling a commitment outlined in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap. The framework addresses existing fragmentation and duplication in the energy digitalisation landscape by introducing a coordination function designed to deliver system-wide architectural coherence, establish common standards and ensure sector alignment. Key features of the framework include the establishment of a data domain model that categorises digitalisation activities into four functional domains, each with clearly defined responsibilities. The framework incorporates long-term governance arrangements intended to provide coordinated strategic direction for energy digitalisation. This coordinated approach is aimed at supporting the consistent delivery of benefits for both consumers and the overall energy system.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published a joint response to the consultation on the energy code governance reform proposals, which covers code manager licensing and secondary legislation, confirming their decision to proceed with these proposals. The response outlines key decisions regarding code manager licence conditions, including core-regulated activities, budgets, funding and cost recovery, and incentives, among other aspects. It also clarifies Ofgem's duties and responsibilities pertaining to code manager selection, including eligibility requirements, selection routes, as well as the selection process. Following this response, the government intends to introduce secondary legislation to formally establish the code manager selection regime by the end of 2024 and will launch a consultation on a full draft of standard licence conditions in 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published an open letter emphasising that electricity connections reform remains a critical enabler of the UK’s Clean Power 2030 ambition and setting out expectations for improved delivery as implementation progresses. The programme is expected to unlock £200 billion of investment by 2030 and the letter emphasises that the focus must now shift firmly towards delivery and execution.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published their response to the November 2024 consultation on introducing consumer protection requirements within the heat networks regulatory framework. The response sets out the implementation timeline for the new regulatory framework and confirms that stakeholder feedback has been incorporated into the legislation establishing consumer protections as part of the wider market framework. This new framework introduces key measures such as fair pricing, complaints handling, billing transparency and customer debt support measures. The response also includes updated draft authorisation conditions. DESNZ expects to enact the relevant legislation in 2026, with a further consultation on technical standards planned for later in 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published the government’s response to a joint consultation on consumer protection requirements which will be introduced as part of the heat networks regulatory framework. The consultation sought views on consumer protection requirements around pricing, quality of service, transparency of information and consumers in vulnerable circumstances. The government response addresses consultation responses in relation to these questions as well as the scope of the regulation and authorisation regime, standards of conduct, monitoring, audit, compliance and enforcement, and Ofgem’s administering of the cost recovery regime.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have published their response to the consultation on reshaping cyber regulation in downstream gas and electricity. The response confirms plans for DESNZ to review the applicability of the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, SI 2018/506 (NIS Regulations) to ensure the most critical downstream gas and electricity operators are captured, and for Ofgem to introduce baseline cyber resilience requirements for all Ofgem licensees. It also confirms plans for Ofgem to consult further in 2027 on detailed proposals for baseline requirements and, subject to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill receiving Royal Assent, for DESNZ to consult on proposed revisions to NIS thresholds and essential services under the NIS Regulations. DESNZ and Ofgem also confirm that they will review the need for intermediate cyber requirements after baseline requirements have been implemented and the NIS applicability review has concluded, with any consideration anticipated after 2030.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that 100 schools and colleges across England have now installed Great British Energy solar panels. Around 250 schools and colleges in total are set to benefit by summer 2026 as part of a targeted rollout prioritising areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West, as well as at least 10 schools in every region of England. The 250 schools and colleges are projected to save an estimated combined £220m over the lifetime of the solar panels, enabling reinvestment into classrooms.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that 27 electrolytic hydrogen production projects across England, Scotland, and Wales have been shortlisted for the next stage of the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2), which involves due diligence and a cost assessment. These projects aim to support the use of hydrogen in sectors, such as ammonia production, clean power generation, glass manufacturing, brick making, and sustainable aviation fuel production. Additionally, DESNZ has published a set of guidance and forms to assist shortlisted projects in the next stage, covering cost competitiveness, due diligence, and cost assurance. The projects must demonstrate measurable plans to achieve lower hydrogen production costs, ideally lower than those in HAR1, and successfully pass the due diligence stage to advance further in the allocation process.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced the outcome of Allocation Round 7 (AR7) of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, stating that it has secured 14.7GW of new renewable electricity capacity across 201 projects, which it says is equivalent to powering around 16 million homes. DESNZ describes this as the largest CfD round to date in terms of both awarded capacity and number of projects.