The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a call for evidence seeking views on enabling Hydrogen to Power (H2P) participation in the Capacity Market (CM) and technical changes to interconnector de-rating factors. The call aims to gather evidence on how H2P plants should be categorised within the CM to enable participation as a new technology, including evidence on operation and reliability. DESNZ also seeks stakeholder views on updating the methodology for the technical adjustment element used in setting interconnector de-rating factors, including treatment of high-impact low-probability events within this methodology. The call for evidence closes on 27 November 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a call for evidence seeking views on the case for community batteries in the UK. The call for evidence aims to gather information on the community batteries landscape, including opportunities and benefits, barriers to delivery, safety considerations and community battery case studies, and to assess whether community batteries could be scaled up to benefit whole communities, including low-income households and those unable to access domestic batteries for technical or financial reasons. It invites views on definitions and categories of community batteries, bill savings and system benefits, technical, financial and other barriers, safety risks and frameworks, case studies, and what actions government could take to most effectively support rollout. The call for evidence closes on 30 July 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a call for evidence to develop a future policy framework for biomethane production, to maximise the potential of the biomethane market. In order to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the government has recognised the role that domestic biomethane production can play to reduce carbon emissions, decrease reliance on fossil methane, and provide diversity in gas supply. Evidence is sought in relation to the potential design and scope of a future policy framework, the costs and revenues associated with biomethane production from anaerobic digestion, and the ways in which planning and permitting can act as enabling elements of a framework. This call for evidence closes on 25 April 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and certification requirements for clean heat installations. The two-part consultation addresses amendments to BUS, including new heat pump purchase options and expanded eligibility for low carbon heating technologies and proposes making the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations across multiple programmes. The proposals aim to streamline certification processes while enhancing consumer protections through measures such as upfront grant deductions by installers. The consultation will close on 11 June 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a consultation seeking views on proposed transitional support arrangements to help large-scale biomass electricity generators with the move to power bioenergy carbon capture and storage (power BECCS). Views are sought on the arrangements in principle and also how they might be designed. An impact assessment has been published together with the consultation. The consultation will close on 29 February 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has opened a second consultation on the review of electricity market arrangements (REMA). This forms part of the government's commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of electricity market design, to ensure it is fit to maintain energy security and affordability for consumers as the electricity system decarbonises. Effective markets will be critical to providing efficient energy mix through the transition to a decarbonised economy, and it is important that those markets are properly set up to provide affordable, secure, and clean energy. The consultation explores options to deliver an enduring market framework that works for UK businesses, industry, and households, and builds further on the government’s 2022 consultation. The consultation will close on 7 May 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its government response to the July–September 2025 consultation on the economic regulatory framework for 100% hydrogen pipeline networks. The consultation examined how legislation, licences and a new hydrogen network code should evolve to support early hydrogen transport and storage (T&S) infrastructure, including the first regional hydrogen networks anticipated in the early 2030s.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its proposed level for the Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7), setting a limit of 535 MtCO2e for the period 2038 to 2042, equivalent to an approximately 87% reduction relative to 1990 levels. The proposed level has been established under the framework of the Climate Change Act 2008 and has been endorsed by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). Following parliamentary approval of the budget, a delivery plan will be published as soon as reasonably practicable.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published provisional data establishing that the UK’s territorial greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by 5% since 2022. DESNZ continued, stating that, when including emissions from international aviation and shipping, there has been a 50% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. DESNZ has also noted that the UK has now reduced its territorial greenhouse gas emissions by a greater portion than the combined efforts of the US, Canada, France, Italy and Japan between 1990 and 2021.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the UK's tenth national report on compliance with the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) prepared the report with contributions from government, environmental regulators and nuclear operators. It concludes that the UK continued to meet its CNS obligations through its established regulatory framework and independent oversight. The report covers operating reactors, plants undergoing defuelling and new nuclear projects. Nine reactors are generating electricity, Hunterston B has completed defuelling, and Hinkley Point B and Dungeness B continue to defuel. Construction and early commissioning have progressed at Hinkley Point C, while Sizewell C received a nuclear site licence in May 2024. Regulators are also assessing several small modular reactor designs and increasing international cooperation. ONR has strengthened risk-based regulation, inspector training and its approach to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. International peer review has also continued, with a 2024 International Atomic Energy Agency follow-up mission closing 19 of 24 recommendations from its 2019 review.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its 16th annual emissions statement, as mandated by section 16 of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA 2008). The statement details the methodology used to calculate the net UK carbon account for 2023, representing the first report within the fourth carbon budget period (2023-27). The net UK carbon account serves as the primary metric for assessing compliance with carbon budgets, ensuring that emissions do not exceed the established limits by the end of each budgetary period.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its 2023-24 annual report and accounts, outlining its activities, financial performance, and achievements from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The report comprises information on resource utilisation, departmental objectives, and financial statements for DESNZ and its partner organisations. Key highlights include the introduction of the Energy Act 2023 in October 2023, as well as the advancement of DESNZ's review of electricity market arrangements, with the launch of a second consultation in March 2024. The report also notes that DESNZ has continued its investment in research and development, including funding for innovators to develop artificial intelligence technology to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.