The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) will launch on 1 October 2024. The NESO is part of a new strategic approach aimed at delivering clean energy by 2030. It will help connect new generation projects to the electricity grid and collaborate with Great British Energy to deploy renewable energy. This announcement follows the government's agreement with National Grid to acquire the Electricity System Operator (ESO), which will be transferred to public ownership.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, proposing to remove the high cost to heat threshold from current regulations and extend eligibility to an additional 2.7 million households. The changes would enable all means tested benefit recipients to access the £150 electricity bill rebate from winter 2025/2026. This comes alongside Ofgem's announcement of a 6.4% increase in the energy price cap to £1,849 for April to June 2025, primarily driven by a 15% rise in wholesale gas prices.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a notice from the Secretary of State, Ed Miliband, issued under section 1 of the Great British Energy Act 2025. The notice designates Great British Energy Group Ltd as Great British Energy, with the designation taking effect from midnight on 21 May 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced measures to reduce the impact of international gas prices on electricity costs in Great Britain to better protect households and businesses from price volatility. The government will introduce voluntary long-term fixed-price contracts for low-carbon generators not currently covered, aiming to stabilise prices by reducing reliance on gas-linked wholesale markets, and will increase the Electricity Generator Levy from 45–55% to capture more excess profits during price spikes and support those affected by rising costs. These actions address the continued link between gas and electricity prices, which still affects around 30% of supply despite growth in renewables, with the share of gas-driven pricing already reduced from about 90% in the early 2020s to around 60% today and expected to fall further. Additional measures include increased grants for oil and LPG-heated homes, further investment in social housing energy upgrades and public sector solar installations, use of public land for renewables, planning and grid reforms, support for electric vehicles and heat pumps, and investment in domestic manufacturing, alongside plans for a reformed national pricing system, all aimed at improving energy security, accelerating clean energy deployment and reducing costs.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) has been extended to Wales with effect from 7 April 2026, enabling projects in Wales to access government funding. The GHNF, which already supports heat network schemes in England, will therefore also apply in Wales.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that the relaunched Net Zero Council has convened its first meeting. The Council, co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Co-operative Group, Shrine Khoury-Haq, aims to accelerate the UK's clean energy transition to net zero while fostering economic growth. The meeting focused on establishing the Council's priorities for 2025/26, which will include: providing expert input to inform the government’s net zero strategies, supporting the development and implementation of sector roadmaps, along with helping businesses in developing transition plans, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises with decarbonisation, and informing the government’s approach to public engagement and developing products to support public participation in net zero initiatives. A new Delivery Group has also been established to oversee the Council’s workstreams and advance progress towards the government's clean energy mission.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that Great British Energy has launched £30 million of funding for local and community-led clean energy projects across the UK. The funding is the first allocation from the up to £1 billion previously announced for community and local energy and is intended to support more than 1,000 projects. Local authorities and community energy groups will be able to develop and own clean energy projects, including solar, wind and hydro schemes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced an expansion of the Energy Ombudsman to offer free support for small businesses and organisations of less than 50 employees with energy contract disputes. The initiative was introduced as part of government and Ofgem efforts to stop energy supplier practices such as hidden fees, inaccurate energy bills and pressurising sales tactics for energy contracts in Great Britain. The Ombudsman has the power to order energy suppliers to provide compensation of up to £10,000 or take action to resolve issues. Ofgem has also set out wider plans to improve energy services for businesses and other non-domestic customers alongside this announcement, including a requirement for energy brokers to provide full transparency over fees within their contracts and expanding their Standard of Conduct rules for energy suppliers to ensure all businesses receive the same level of support with issues.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced a £300m investment to support domestic production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), the specialist fuel required to power the next generation of nuclear reactors. This programme aims to deliver 24 GW of clean, reliable nuclear power by 2050. An additional £10m will also be provided to develop the skills and sites to produce other advanced nuclear fuels in the UK. With the first plant scheduled to be operational in the early 2030s, the funding will boost the North West of England’s nuclear fuel production hub, supporting local industry and jobs, while helping to expand nuclear revival in the UK and overseas.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced £15.6 million to upgrade 94 old and inefficient heat networks across England and Wales, alongside £25 million for four heat network projects in England, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and lowering bills for families, hospitals and charities. The funding forms part of the Warm Homes Plan and is intended to help more than 10,000 residents cut energy costs and tackle fuel poverty. Planned upgrades include replacing leaky pipes, insulating pipework to reduce heat loss and installing new interface units to give residents greater control over heating. Projects receiving support include the Bristol City Leap heat network, which will use heat pumps to provide fossil fuel free heating, and a Rochdale scheme using heat from a sewer network to supply low-carbon heat to public buildings, businesses and residential properties. DESNZ states that heat networks are intended to support the delivery of clean power by 2030 and improve underperforming systems while contributing to energy security.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced a Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, providing funding for local authorities to improve the energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating. The scheme will target households in England that are low income, have an Energy Performance Certificate between D and G, and are privately owned (owner occupied or privately rented). The expression of interest (EOI) window is expected to open in October 2024, with delivery to begin in 2025. All eligible local authorities who complete an EOI form will be allocated funding to participate in the scheme.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that Great British Energy (GB Energy) will be headquartered in Aberdeen. Once fully operational, two smaller sites will be set up in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Initially, GB Energy will be located in government buildings throughout these cities, while permanent bases are established. This announcement marks the beginning of plans for the new publicly owned company to invest in clean, home-grown energy, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth across the UK.