The Offshore Transmission Network Review aims to deliver improvements in the way that offshore generation is connected to the onshore transmission network and facilitate a more supportive approach for multi-purpose interconnectors (that combine market-to-market interconnectors with offshore transmission). We are seeking stakeholder views to help develop an approach to the way that new projects coming forward through future seabed leasing rounds will be connected. At this stage we are...More
In this consultation we are seeking views on our proposed approach to deliver heat network zoning in England to inform primary legislation.
Our proposals envisage central and local government working together with industry and local stakeholders to identify and designate areas within which heat networks are the lowest cost, low carbon solution for decarbonising heating. This will help heat network developers to accelerate deployment of heat networks where they are most appropriate...More
The recently published Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan 2021 and Energy Digitalisation Strategy identified key BEIS policy priorities to enable the transition to a smart, flexible, decarbonised energy system.
As part of the at least £100 million Energy Storage and Flexibility Challenge set out in the Prime Minister’s ten point plan for a green industrial revolution , BEIS is minded to consider how innovation can support this transition: how it could...More
The Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme in England and Wales supports the generation of renewable electricity. It operates as a market-based mechanism through a system of tradable green certificates called Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs).
ROCs are issued to generators free of charge by the scheme administrator, Ofgem, in relation to the amount of renewable electricity they generate. Generators sell the ROCs to suppliers or traders, which gives generators a premium in...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the current arrangements for trading electricity on power exchanges in the GB wholesale electricity market and our proposals to support efficient cross-border trading. This consultation sets out a number of key items in respect of this matter:
historical information regarding the GB wholesale electricity market, market arrangements as they applied to power exchanges prior to EU Exit, and how they have changed following EU...More
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the Government’s main mechanism for supporting new, low carbon electricity generation projects in Great Britain. Since March 2020, we have consulted, and published our decisions, on a series of changes to the CfD scheme and contract terms in preparation for Allocation Round 4 (AR4), which will open to applications from developers of renewable technologies in December 2021.
The Government indicated in its consultation published on...More
The electricity system will need fundamental change as we move towards Net Zero. Greater use of new, flexible technologies in generation and demand will create challenges for the electricity network from a governance and technical point of view, and the network will need to grow and adapt in new ways.
Electricity network companies are fundamentally responsible for building, owning and operating electricity network infrastructure, ensuring it is ready to meet the demands placed...More
Executive Summary
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution sets out that, working with industry, the UK is aiming for 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. In support of this ambition, we are introducing supportive policies intended to de-risk investment and incentivise the roll out of new low carbon hydrogen production facilities. Crucial to this will be ensuring that the hydrogen being produced is sufficiently low...More
A consultation to inform the design of the £240m Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) which aims to support the commercial deployment of low carbon hydrogen production during the 2020’s.
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We’re seeking views on our proposals for a low carbon hydrogen business model. Please provide your responses in this form to the questions set out in the Low Carbon Hydrogen Business Model Consultation.
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In the December 2020 Energy White Paper, the Government announced its enduring plans to address the factors that have caused excessive charging for default tariff consumers in the domestic energy retail. We are:
Creating the framework to introduce an opt-in switching scheme, where households on the most expensive tariffs are offered a simple method of switching to a cheaper tariff.
Testing opt-out switching, where, unless they choose not to be, consumers who...More
In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to commit to a legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050. Transport contributes 28% of UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions [1] and addressing this sector is a critical element of the plan to reaching net zero. The Government’s approach, as laid out in the 2018 Road to Zero Strategy, centres on the decarbonisation of the transport sector and this was accelerated in the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution with...More
Our exit from the EU provides us with the opportunity to think boldly about how we regulate and for the first time in a generation, we have the freedom to conceive and implement rules that put the UK first. We will use this freedom to unlock cutting-edge technologies, unleash innovation, and propel start-up growth, levelling up every corner of the UK. This will be a crucial part of boosting our productivity and helping us bring the benefits of growth to the whole of our country.
In...More
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, has been commissioned by the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation to lead an independent review to advise on a substantial reduction in unnecessary research bureaucracy in government and the wider sector. The Review team is in the process of holding evidence gathering meetings across the UK. In addition, the team is issuing this brief survey and call for evidence to add to this evidence base and help inform the...More
Competition and consumer policies are key to creating free, open, and competitive markets with high consumer standards that drive growth, innovation, and productivity. A robust regulatory framework which supports healthy competition is crucial to the effective functioning of the economy and supporting both businesses and consumers.
The consultation covers proposals under 3 themes on which we’re seeking views:
promoting competition to drive enterprise, innovation, growth, and...More
The government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution sets out the ambition to support industry to deliver a hydrogen neighbourhood trial, and a village trial by 2025.
This consultation seeks views on proposals to legislate in order to allow Gas Distribution Network Operators to effectively carry out the activities needed to deliver a grid conversion hydrogen trial, and potentially to enhance existing consumer protections to ensure that those living in the...More
This consultation is seeking views on proposed measures to strengthen the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures, and increase the benefits for participating businesses.
This consultation follows on from the 2020 Post-Implementation Review of the scheme and welcomes views on the following options to improve the scheme:
Improving the quality of audits through increased standardisation of reporting requirements...More
Many of the detailed rules that facilitate the gas and electricity systems are set out in codes. Although these codes have done a remarkable job guiding the industry post-privatisation, many of them were designed to deal with a more predictable energy system and have seen only incremental changes over time. This has resulted in a code governance framework that is complex, fragmented and lacks incentives to innovate, despite our urgent need for a more unified, flexible, and dynamic approach....More
We're seeking views on our proposal for all the current National Grid Electricity System Operator ( ESO ) roles and functions to be carried out by the FSO , and that the FSO should undertake strategic network planning, long-term forecasting, and market strategy functions in gas. We also consider:
the new roles and functions an independent FSO could potentially fulfil in gas and electricity, including in network planning and independent advice
the options for organisational...More
Large-scale and long-duration electricity storage could provide a n important role in decarbonising our energy system , f or example by storing renewable power and discharging it over periods of low wind. However, there is evidence that it faces market challenges that mean it may struggle to deploy at scale.
This call for evidence seeks to gather information to help us understand in more detail the barriers within the current market, how these might be addressed, and...More
The government expects Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) to play an essential role in meeting our net zero target. The deployment of CCUS will also be central to supporting the low carbon transformation of the UK’s industrial base. To deliver this, the government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, published in November 2020, included a commitment to deploy CCUS in two industrial clusters by the mid-2020s, and a further two clusters by 2030 with an ambition to...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on proposed duties, powers, functions and objectives of an economic regulator for carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) transport and storage networks, to inform the continued development of carbon capture, usage and storage policy and legislative proposals.
Read the consultation document on GOV.UK .
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In November 2020, the government published the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, with commitments focused on driving innovation, boosting export opportunities, and generating green jobs and growth across the country to level up regions of the UK. Included in the Ten Point Plan was a commitment to deploy Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) in two industrial clusters by the mid-2020s, and a further two clusters by 2030 with an ambition to capture 10 MtCO₂ per year by...More
We are consulting on proposed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020. These additional provisions will support effective operation of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) by addressing a number of residual technical issues identified during the development and legislation of the scheme.
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This consultation sets out our proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme for the next scheme (ECO4), due to begin in April 2022.
Read the consultation document on GOV.UK .
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The Warm Home Discount has been a key policy in the Government’s approach to tackling fuel poverty since its inception in 2011. Since it began, the Warm Home Discount has provided over £3 billion in rebates on energy bills to low-income and vulnerable households.
The Government committed in the Energy White Paper last year to extending the Warm Home Discount until 2025/26 at least, expanding the spending envelope from around £350 million to £475 million annually (in 2020...More
The UK Government is seeking views on the maximum penalties the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) can impose for non-compliance with a request for information, under the UK Internal Market Act 2020.
Please read the consultation document found on GOV.UK before responding to the questions.
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This consultation seeks views and evidence on the risk of carbon leakage due to the indirect emission cost from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and the Carbon Price Support Mechanism (CPS) as well as feedback on sector eligibility and scheme design.
Read the consultation document on GOV.UK .
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This consultation seeks views on proposed legislation to amend the remit and powers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the specialist armed police force charged with protecting civil nuclear sites and nuclear materials in England, Scotland and Wales. This will ensure that, should a need arise in the future, the Constabulary can utilise their expertise in deterrence and armed response to support other critical infrastructure sites, as well as assist other police forces in an emergency.
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Smart Data is the secure sharing of customer data with authorised third-party providers (TPPs) upon the customer’s request. These providers then use this data to provide innovative services for the consumer or business user, such as automatic switching or better account management.
Current governance arrangements enable Smart Data initiatives to develop independently of one another, with BEIS responsible for Smart Data policy coordination. We propose three different options...More