The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published its response to the independent review of Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), setting out its response to the review’s recommendations and the actions it plans to take forward. The response states that the DESNZ plans to prioritise recommendations supporting its Growth and Clean Energy missions and confirms that the role of GGRs in delivering Carbon Budget 7 (CB7) and future carbon budgets will be set out in a delivery plan covering carbon budgets to 2042. It also reiterates that high-integrity GGRs are intended to complement, rather than replace, emissions reduction.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a statutory notice seeking views on proposed class exemptions from the requirement to hold a load control licence under the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme. The proposed Order would create three exemptions: for Load Controllers and Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) whose activities relate only to energy smart appliances outside the scope of the SSES licensing regime; for FSPs providing flexibility services only to consumers who are neither domestic nor small business consumers; and for persons carrying out load control activity solely to benefit consumers and not to provide services to electricity transmission or distribution system operators or persons engaged in wholesale electricity trading. Representations are invited until 7 September 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) to develop the UK’s first small modular reactors. GBE-N has been renamed from Great British Nuclear, and will operate as an allied company to GBE. Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, Rolls-Royce SMR will enter into a strategic technology development partnership with GBE-N. GBE-N also plans to designate a site later in 2025 and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. This project is expected to create up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and deliver clean, homegrown energy to approximately three million homes. This announcement follows a two-year competitive procurement process that began in July 2023. Rolls-Royce SMR is currently in the final stage of assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators. Additionally, the government has pledged over £2.5bn for the overall small modular reactor programme during this Spending Review period.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced the signing of contracts for the UK's first carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) projects in Teesside. Construction of the East Coast Cluster project is scheduled to commence in mid-2025, supported by a £21.7bn government funding commitment announced in October 2024. The agreements will unlock £4bn worth of contracts to be awarded by East Coast Cluster projects to supply chains. In addition, the Low Carbon Contracts Company has signed the Dispatchable Power Agreement (DPA) contract, positioning itself as the contractual private law counterparty and settlement body to the DPA Net Zero Teeside Power project, while also overseeing the Revenue Support Agreement to mitigate financial risks for carbon dioxide transport and storage companies.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has issued the first UK Biennial Transparency Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Paris Agreement, providing details on the UK's greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, adaptation approach from 1990—2022, and support for developing countries in tackling climate change. The next report is due in 2026.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 8 (AR8) collection to reflect further procedural and documentary developments relevant to applicants. DESNZ confirmed that the Clean Industry Bonus application window for AR8 will open on 13 May 2026 and close on 21 May 2026, providing certainty as to the timetable for the submission of Clean Industry Bonus proposals within the allocation round. All draft Clean Industry Bonus documents previously published have now been replaced with final versions, meaning that applicants must rely on the finalised guidance, frameworks and supporting materials when preparing and submitting applications. In addition, DESNZ has added the statutory notices required under the Contracts for Difference (Allocation) Regulations 2014, SI 2014/2014  to the AR8 collection, formally giving effect to the establishment of Allocation Round 8 and the associated processes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated the templates for umbrella and underlying agreements under the Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) scheme. The new versions replace the previous templates and incorporate amendments for the next phase of the CCA scheme, covering target periods from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. The revised templates reflect the latest framework, including new reporting requirements and alignment with current legislation and should be read alongside the CCAs technical annex.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated its Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) allocation framework for the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7). Key changes include extending the CIB application window from 22 to 43 working days, with the new application period opening on 13 February 2025 and closing on 14 April 2025. The updates also clarify information requirements for minimum standards proposals and correct the calculation method for minimum standards to be based on capacity per MW rather than MW/h. Additionally, the updated framework provides formulae for calculating normalised scores for CIB extra proposals

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESN) updated its Capacity Market appeals process guidance by removing outdated information and providing clearer instructions on appealing termination and reduction notices to the Secretary of State. Originally published on 6 June 2019, the guidance details the appeal processes for capacity providers holding a capacity agreement or a conditional capacity agreement. The updated guidance operates in conjunction with the Capacity Market Rules and forms an integral component of the broader Capacity Market framework that underpins UK energy security. Users are invited to sign up for email notifications to keep abreast of future updates to this guidance.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated its Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) guidance for licensed energy suppliers. The guidance now includes Minimum Supply Prices which apply as of 1 February 2024.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has updated its guidance on the Energy Bills Discount Scheme to add revised scheme parameters for qualifying heat suppliers (QHS) on variable, flexible and DAI price contracts from February 2024. They must be determined and published by the Secretary of State.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published updated versions of the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement (LCHA) Standard Terms and Conditions and Front End Agreement, along with a key terms summary document. These documents are applicable to Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1) projects. The LCHA was signed by the first three projects supported under the Hydrogen Production Business Model in December 2024.