The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the Capacity Market (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2026, which amend the Capacity Market Rules 2014. The amendments cover several areas, including connection capacity for battery storage facilities, Contracts for Difference (CfDs), applicant credit cover, capacity agreements and termination, secondary trading, the auction timetable and procedures for information technology (IT) failures during the prequalification window. They also make several technical and consequential amendments. The Rules come into force when the Electricity Capacity (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 come into force.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the Capacity Market (Amendment) (No. 3) Rules 2026 and the Capacity Market (Amendment) (No. 4) Rules 2026, which amend the Capacity Market Rules 2014. The amendments cover a range of operational, technical and administrative matters relating to the Capacity Market, including Independent Technical Expert (ITE) reporting, connection capacity, metering, monitoring, prequalification, demand side response (DSR), low emissions capacity market units (CMUs), biomass sustainability, long duration electricity storage (LDES), capacity auctions and the Capacity Market Register. The Capacity Market (Amendment) (No. 3) Rules 2026 come into force on 18 July 2026, while the Capacity Market (Amendment) (No. 4) Rules 2026 come into force on 17 July 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the Capacity Market (Amendment) Rules 2026, which come into force on 1 July 2026. The rules set out the technical and administrative framework for operation of the Capacity Market, including day-to-day processes, pre-qualification of capacity providers and the conduct of capacity auctions. The amendments clarify the application of certain register, obligation and monitoring provisions to New Build Capacity Market Units (CMUs) and Demand Side Response (DSR) CMUs awarded capacity agreements before the 2026 rules take effect.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, fulfilling statutory obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008. The plan sets out how the UK will meet carbon budgets 4-6 covering 2023-2037, following a High Court order requiring the government to publish a new report after a successful legal challenge under the previous administration. The package includes the Section 14 Report under the 2008 Act, the government's response to the Climate Change Committee's 2025 Progress Report, an investor prospectus outlining policy-backed investment opportunities for the net zero transition, and the UK Methane Action Plan detailing actions to reduce methane emissions domestically and globally. The plan aims to reduce emissions while supporting economic growth through clean energy investment, with targets including 400,000 additional clean energy jobs by 2030 and home upgrades for 5m families through the Warm Homes Plan.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the results of Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7), which commenced on 24 July 2025. The publication confirms the successful applicants in the seventh allocation round and sets out details of projects awarded contracts, including project name, region, applicant, technology type, size (MW), strike price (£/MWh), delivery year and pot. The results relate only to contracts that have been offered, with contracts to be signed between developers and the Low Carbon Contracts Company as the CfD counterparty.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the results of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 6, which commenced on 27 March 2024. This auction round delivered a record 131 new green infrastructure projects, exceeding the 92 projects awarded in the previous auction round in 2023. This makes it the largest round, with a significant number of allocations for onshore wind, solar, and tidal energy projects, which will power the equivalent of 11 million British homes. Offshore windfarms have also made a return, representing an improvement from the 2023 auction round, which saw no successful offshore wind projects awarded.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its guidance for solar projects of 300MW or more applying to Allocation Round 8 of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. Applicants must submit a Supply Chain Plan (SCP) and obtain a statement of approval from the Secretary of State to qualify. The SCP assesses commitments in four areas—Green Growth, Infrastructure, Innovation, and Skills—with a minimum 60% score required in each. The application process includes a one-week submission window, optional feedback sessions, and opportunities for resubmission. After a CfD is awarded, DESNZ monitors implementation through regular meetings. A final Supply Chain Implementation Statement is required to meet CfD contract conditions. Failure to meet SCP commitments may result in contract termination.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published two sets of draft guidance for the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 Sustainable Industry Rewards. The first, a draft allocation framework, sets out the rules for the CfD Sustainable Industry Rewards and the eligibility requirements that applicants must satisfy. The second draft guidance applies to all fixed bottom or floating offshore wind projects, and outlines the monitoring and implementation of Sustainable Industry Rewards and minimum standards.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced a new Clean Power Action Plan aimed at achieving clean power in the UK by 2030. The plan outlines reforms to the energy system, including measures to streamline grid connections, prioritise critical projects, and accelerate planning processes. Key elements include cleaning up the dysfunctional grid system, bringing onshore wind farms larger than 100MW back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime in England, and introducing a Planning and Infrastructure Bill to expedite critical infrastructure delivery. The government also plans to expand the renewable auction process and implement pro-consumer reforms to provide households with more choice and access to cheaper energy tariffs. These measures are designed to unlock £40b annually in private investment for clean power projects and infrastructure, while addressing energy security and affordability concerns. Chris Stark has been appointed as head of Clean Power 2030, leading a new mission control within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government has also commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to provide independent expert advice on delivering the 2030 clean power goal. These measures aim to enhance energy security, reduce consumer costs, and support the UK's transition to net zero emissions.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a report on the findings and recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) programme. The evaluation indicated that the CFA is perceived to be a relevant and unique intervention within its target countries, the capacity building support was perceived to be valuable, and the quality of projects’ business models and value propositions following the CFA capacity building activities was improved.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its December 2024 hydrogen strategy market update, outlining policy and project advancements made throughout 2024 to facilitate the development of a low carbon hydrogen economy in the UK. The update highlights progress across several policy areas, including hydrogen production, networks and storage infrastructure, uses of hydrogen, the evolving regulatory framework, and overall sector development. Key developments include the confirmation of support for 11 successful projects under the first Hydrogen Allocation Round, the announcement of up to £21.7bn in funding to launch the UK’s new carbon capture, utilisation and storage industry, and the publication of a consultation response to establish a new hydrogen to power business model. The document also provides an outlook of the government’s hydrogen plans for 2025.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the public feedback and government response to its two-part consultation addressing phase two reforms and a ten-year review of the Capacity Market. This response concludes the government consultation on Capacity Market reform, aiming to improve security of supply, align the scheme with net zero goals and improve its functioning, and sets out the next steps that the government intends to take. These include Capacity Market Rule changes to support battery participation and mothballed plants. DESNZ intends to amend the Capacity Market Rules 2014 rather than the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014, as the latter would require a statutory instrument to be laid and debated in Parliament. The government intends to publish its ten-year review of the Capacity Market later this year.