The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on the UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (OESEA5) Scoping Document, which sets out the proposed scope and level of detail for the forthcoming Environmental Report. The report will cover future leasing and licensing for offshore renewable energy, offshore gas, carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage, and the granting of Transitional Energy Certificates for oil and gas. The scoping process aims to identify environmental issues of concern at an early stage, inform the assessment approach, and ensure environmental implications of the draft plan or programme are considered prior to adoption. The consultation closes on 6 March 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a consultation on proposed reforms to electricity market arrangements under its Reformed National Pricing (RNP) programme. The consultation seeks views on changes to ‘siting and investment levers’ that influence where electricity generation and storage assets are developed and how investment decisions are made. The RNP programme replaces the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), which included a commitment to set out a delivery plan for the proposed reforms and their implementation. The consultation closes on 2 June 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed load control licence regulations and conditions under the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme. The consultation invites feedback on draft regulations and licence conditions governing load control for domestic-scale energy smart appliances. These include electric vehicle charge points, heat pumps, and battery energy storage systems.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on a proposed Tier 1 Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) profile and related guidance for Large Load Controllers, seeking views on cyber security requirements for organisations that remotely control 300MW or more of electrical load through energy smart appliances and that are expected to be brought within the scope of the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/506, as a new essential service. DESNZ, in collaboration with Ofgem and the National Cyber Security Centre, has developed the proposed framework to support cyber resilience in the load control sector. The consultation seeks views on the proposed CAF profile, a sector-specific CAF overlay, scoping guidance and compliance arrangements, which are intended to address cyber risks associated with organisations controlling large volumes of electricity demand through technologies such as electric vehicle charge points, heat pumps and battery storage systems. The consultation closes on 1 September 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched an open consultation on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) free allocation review, focusing on carbon leakage. This interim consultation follows a previous review in 2023 and seeks views on two key areas: the approach to calculating the Carbon Leakage Indicator and setting the Carbon Leakage List, and the method for adjusting free allocations for sectors covered by the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The consultation aims to refine the UK's approach to free allocations within the ETS framework, addressing concerns about carbon leakage while considering the impact of the CBAM on affected sectors. The consultation closes on 10 March 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), on behalf of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority, has launched a consultation on proposals to reform the treatment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under the UK ETS. The consultation seeks views on expanding eligible fuel types beyond biofuels, aligning sustainability criteria and emissions threshold in the UK SAF Mandate and revising how SAF emissions reductions are recognised under the scheme. The consultation also outlines a range of operational and legislative changes, including requirements relating to fuel purchase and delivery, claim limits, monitoring obligations and evidence for emissions reduction claims. The consultation will close on 15 June 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on the proposed approach for siting fusion energy facilities as part of a new National Policy Statement (NPS). DESNZ is seeking views in order to begin the creation of an NPS for fusion energy, with the intention of streamlining the planning process for fusion power plants.

The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to the seventh allocation round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. The consultation also seeks views on longer-term policy considerations for future rounds. The consultation will close on 7 March 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation seeking views on approaches to improve consumer engagement in consumer-led flexibility (CLF). The consultation seeks to clarify the roles of government and other organisations in optimising consumer engagement with CLF initiatives. It proposes four potential scope components for a consumer engagement framework: industry coordination and standards, as well as consumer advice and communications. The framework aims to maximise CLF's contribution towards achieving clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050, while ensuring consumer needs are addressed. The consultation closes on 19 September 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to Scotland’s consenting processes under the Electricity Act 1989, aiming to improve the planning system for large energy projects. DESNZ has also published an options assessment, which outlines the rationale, costs, and benefits of these reforms. The consultation closes on 26 November 2024. Following this, the UK Government intends to introduce the necessary legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposals to reform the process for connecting demand-side electricity networks, using powers granted by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. The consultation seeks to address speculation in grid connection applications—a factor that has contributed to a 460% increase in the transmission network demand connections queue over the six months leading up to June 2025. Key proposed measures include: strengthening conditions for joining and remaining in the connections queue, empowering the government to publish a list of strategically important projects, including artificial intelligence growth zones, to receive priority treatment and implementing a strategically aligned process specifically for data centre connections. These reforms aim to prioritise future capacity for strategic demand, particularly for data centres, EV charging hubs and electrified industrial sites. The consultation outlines the rationale for intervention, the legislative framework, the scope of application and the proposed implementation timeline. The consultation will close on 15 April 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure. The reforms aim to accelerate the deployment of future network connections, while ensuring landowners’ rights are protected. This follows a call for evidence held in August–September 2022, which sought feedback on improving current land access, rights and consents processes. The consultation sets out 12 proposed changes, including: (1) extending the standard wayleave term from 15 to 40 years; (2) increasing the permitted development threshold for substations from 29 to 45 m³; (3) shifting tree maintenance responsibilities from landowners to licence holders; (4) revising the criteria for when section 37 consent is required; (5) amending schedule 4 to the Electricity Act 1989 to facilitate the installation of cables in private streets; (6) removing 132 kV wooden pole lines from the nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP) regime and increasing the NSIP distance threshold from 2 km to 10 km; and (7) expanding access rights to transmission owners, among others. The consultation closes on 2 September 2025.