DESNZ has confirmed that two carbon capture projects in North Wales and North West England have signed final contracts with the Low Carbon Contracts Company and can now begin construction. The projects comprise: (1) the UK's first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood, North Wales, developed by Heidelberg Materials UK; and (2) a carbon capture-enabled waste-to-energy facility at Protos, Ellesmere Port, developed by Encyclis. Together, these projects are expected to capture 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, with 800,000 tonnes at Padeswood and 400,000 tonnes at Protos. These are the first two anchor projects to connect to Eni's Liverpool Bay Transportation & Storage network and form part of the HyNet carbon capture cluster, which received government approval in April 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its response to the 2025 consultation on enduring governance for the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme and has confirmed that Elexon, via the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), will host new Technical and Security Governance Groups to oversee the technical and security frameworks for consumer-led flexibility. The government has decided to modify the BSC using powers under section 245 of the Energy Act 2023 so that Elexon can administer these groups as BSC Panel subcommittees and recover associated transition-phase costs as BSC Costs, with the arrangements designed to support growing consumer-led flexibility while maintaining system security and consumer protection.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the statutory notices for Allocation Round 8 (AR8) of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, confirming key auction details for the next allocation round. The notices set out administrative strike prices, delivery years and the pot structure for AR8, among other information. The confirmed auction details provide that administrative strike prices will be frozen at Allocation Round 7 levels across all technologies, with other deepwater offshore wind receiving the same administrative strike price as floating offshore wind. DESNZ has also published the final AR8 contract allocation framework, which sets out the eligibility requirements and other rules relating to how the allocation round will be run.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published government responses to its April 2025 consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and certification requirements for clean heat schemes. The measures, finalised in November 2025, expand BUS eligibility to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries (each supported by £2,500 grants), relax the Energy Performance Certificate requirement from 2026/27, and mandate that installers deduct grants upfront. The department has also confirmed that the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) will become the sole certification body for clean heat measures under BUS, ECO4, and Warm Homes schemes, with a memorandum of understanding between DESNZ and MCS to ensure oversight.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed the final investment decision for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, with construction costs estimated at £38bn. The UK government will hold a 44.9% stake in the project, making it the largest equity shareholder, alongside EDF (12.5%), La Caisse (20%), Centrica (15%), and Amber Infrastructure (7.6%). The National Wealth Fund will provide the majority of the project’s debt financing, working with Bpifrance Assurance Export to support the plant’s construction.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Capacity Market (CM) ahead of Prequalification 2026. The consultation seeks views on six proposed areas of reform: (1) implementing a multiple price CM by introducing a second, higher price cap in the auction to secure new build dispatchable enduring capacity; (2) a package of measures to limit the information provided to auction participants before and during auctions to support efficient bidding; (3) introducing additional delivery assurance processes for consumer-led flexibility assets entering the CM; (4) allowing battery CM Units to self-nominate a connection capacity below their full network connection capacity; (5) establishing sustainability criteria for biogenic sources to access low carbon CM mechanisms; and (6) improving administration through policy clarifications, amendments and revocations and introducing Termination Fees for Termination Events that currently have no fee associated. The reforms aim to maintain security of supply, align the scheme with decarbonisation goals and improve overall scheme functionality. The consultation closes on 27 November 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a consultation on proposed changes to the Capacity Market (CM) ahead of Prequalification 2027. The proposals cover changes to the delivery assurance framework, measures to make the CM Rules more accessible, further development of arrangements relating to consumer-led flexibility (CLF) and additional administrative and operational changes to the CM. The consultation closes on 27 October 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed drafting changes to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Standard Terms and Conditions (ST&Cs) ahead of Allocation Round 7 (AR7). The consultation seeks views on amendments required to facilitate the practical implementation of DESNZ’s proposal to relax eligibility criteria for unconsented fixed-bottom offshore wind projects in AR7, as outlined in its February 2025 consultation. The proposed changes are without prejudice to DESNZ’s final decision on whether to proceed with the proposal, which will be confirmed before AR7 opens in summer 2025. The consultation closes on 16 June 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation, seeking views on proposed amendments to regulation 3 of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) (Definition of Eligible Generator) Regulations 2014, SI 2014/2010. The changes would expand the definition of ‘carry out an eligible generating activity’ to include the continuation of electricity generation by nuclear power stations through life extension projects. This would enable existing nuclear generating assets to be eligible for CfDs to incentivise investment in lifetime extensions of operating nuclear plants, subject to value for money considerations and relevant approvals. Currently, nuclear generators are eligible for CfD support only for new build projects, capacity increases of five megawatts or more or connections to a complete carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) system. The consultation closes on 21 January 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on introducing a new permitted development right (PDR) in England for specified low-impact, temporary ground investigations and surveys for electricity network infrastructure. The proposed PDR would allow these works to proceed without a planning application, subject to conditions and safeguards. DESNZ proposes that the PDR would apply to electricity transmission and distribution licence holders, and third parties acting on their behalf, to reduce planning delays and administrative burdens while maintaining environmental and heritage protections. The consultation seeks views on the scope of eligible works, proposed conditions, including limits on depth, surface area and duration, land reinstatement, protection of trees, temporary buildings, prior notification to local planning authorities, and application on designated land excluding Scheduled Monuments. It also seeks views on the potential impacts on businesses, local authorities, communities and people with protected characteristics.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation to review the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011. The consultation seeks input on potential amendments that reflect the current policy environment for carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Proposed changes aim to support the establishment of first-of-a-kind CCUS infrastructure, facilitate future market development, and advance both domestic and global emissions reduction policy objectives. This review is part of broader efforts to progress the UK's transition to a self-sustaining CCUS market. The consultation will close on 6 February 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation exploring the role of low-carbon heating technologies for the small proportion of properties unsuitable for heat pumps and heat networks. The consultation seeks evidence on a wide range of alternative solutions—including electric boilers, infrared and panel heaters, air-to-air and exhaust air heat pumps, networked heat pumps, and thermal energy storage systems (TESS)—as well as biomass and renewable liquid heating fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and bioLPG. DESNZ also invites views on the potential use of hybrid heat pump systems combining electric and biofuel technologies, and on whether to implement a Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation under powers in the Energy Act 2023. The consultation closes on 10 February 2026.