Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Local authorities can support solar panel installations through several government schemes.

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is delivered through local authorities to low-income households in their areas, while local authorities that are social landlords can access the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund for eligible social homes. An additional £100 million for that Fund will support delivery of up to 57,000 solar installations across Wave 3. A total of £4.4 billion has been made available for grant schemes for low-income households up to 2030.

Great British Energy (GBE) supports public sector decarbonisation, and the GBE Solar programme is investing £255 million to fund around 250 schools, around 260 NHS sites, and around 15 military sites to install solar panels across the country.

Great British Energy has launched the biggest public investment into community energy in UK history, £30m of backing as a first downpayment on up to £1bn, to help local places cut bills, grow wealth and act on climate.

Mayoral Strategic Authorities can also support renewable energy projects through Great British Energy’s £10 million Mayoral Renewables Fund, while eligible authorities receive devolved funding for home retrofit and public sector buildings through Integrated Settlements. Over 150 renewable projects have now switched-on for public buildings in England’s Mayoral Combined Authorities, with more to follow – which together could see up to £50 million in total energy bill savings reinvested in local services

Solar panels have the potential to reduce household energy bills and carbon emissions, supporting the Government’s objectives to tackle fuel poverty, deliver clean power, and improve energy security.

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund provides grant funding to local authorities and social housing landlords to upgrade social homes across England up to EPC Band C. This will support the installation of energy efficiency measures in social homes, including solar panels and batteries.

Throughout the delivery process, successful Grant Recipients must demonstrate that their proposed measures are appropriate for the homes being treated and represent good value for money.

The government recognises the important contribution the report makes to the scientific evidence base on the risks associated with exceeding 1.5°C of global warming and the actions needed to minimise those risks.

The Government agrees that every fraction of a degree of warming matters and that the magnitude and duration of any overshoot of 1.5°C should be limited.

That is why the Government remains fully committed to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050 and delivering on our commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Government is taking steps to support the inclusion of air-to-air heat pumps in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The necessary legislative changes have already been made and the scheme is ready to provide £2,500 grants for eligible installations.

It is also necessary to ensure that there are standards in place and installers are accredited to install air-to-air heat pumps. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is working closely with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and Certification Bodies to deliver these.

The Government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan represents the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history and includes support for solar panels, as well as batteries, insulation, and other low-carbon technologies.

Nottinghamshire is benefiting from significant clean energy investment.

The STEP programme will deliver a prototype fusion power plant at West Burton, supporting reindustrialisation around the site – a former coal power station – and supporting thousands of jobs.

HyMarnham Power, which was successful in the first hydrogen allocation round (HAR1), is transforming the former High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub, introducing 9.3 MW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity.

The Government has supported solar energy farms in Nottinghamshire through the Contracts for Difference scheme.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the clean energy transition benefits every community.

The government does not agree compensation for individual landowners or businesses affected by the proposed Norwich to Tilbury project. This is a matter for the transmission owner, National Grid, and the landowners or businesses concerned. Where acquisition of land rights are required, whether by voluntary agreement or through compulsory purchase powers granted in a Development Consent Order, the requirements for compensation of affected parties are set out in relevant legislation.

Government is committed to greater climate resilience and mitigation, and is investing £97m for the biggest upgrade of national resilience capabilities in nearly twenty years, including specialist equipment, dedicated off-road vehicles, enhanced incident management and wildfire training for firefighters.

This summer has been the hottest on record, and preparing for more extreme weather is part of building a more resilient country. That is why we have extended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat a home, we have made plug-in solar available across Great Britain, and we are investing significantly to upgrade the school estate.

Alongside this, our Energising Britain plan provides households with clear, accessible and impartial information about the everyday actions people can take to cut bills, reduce emissions, and protect the environment.

The Prime Minister also announced measures to support farmers in August, including up to £15m funding to build on-farm reservoirs, and temporary adjustments to Environmental Land Management Agreements.

Regulations will play a key role in ensuring consumers on a heat network receive the protections they need.

As the appointed regulator for heat networks, Ofgem is responsible for the oversight and enforcement of the new regulatory framework.

It has issued guidance to support those who own and operate heat networks, including on how to register with Ofgem and consumer protection rules and requirements set out in the authorisation conditions. The full list of guidance can be found on the Ofgem Heat Networks webpage.

Events in the Middle East have highlighted the importance of improving the energy efficiency of homes and reducing households' exposure to fossil fuel markets. That is why the Government's £15 billion Warm Homes Plan sets out the strategy for upgrading up to five million homes by 2030. It will support measures including insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and batteries. Support includes direct grants for low-income and fuel-poor households, low-interest finance and higher minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes.

Although passive measures are being prioritised, the Government recognises that, in some cases, active cooling will be needed to protect those most vulnerable to overheating. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme therefore provides £2,500 grants towards eligible air-to-air heat pumps, sometimes referred to as air conditioning units, which can provide active cooling.

The government is taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea, in line with our climate and legal obligations. The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

The Rosebank decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent. Final consenting decisions are the responsibility of the North Sea Transition Authority. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific aspects relating to the project.

The Rosebank decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent. Final consenting decisions are the responsibility of the North Sea Transition Authority. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific aspects relating to the project.

The Rosebank decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent. Final consenting decisions are the responsibility of the North Sea Transition Authority. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific aspects relating to the project.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Norwich to Tilbury is 31/12/2031. Government is taking actions to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 2 is 31/12/2030. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

On 13 July, the Government delivered its second annual statement to Parliament on the state of climate and nature, which highlighted the latest evidence on climate change and nature loss.

Our Energising Britain plan sets out our role in providing trusted, impartial advice. A Clean Energy Mission website on GOV.UK provides households with clear, accessible and impartial information about the everyday actions people can take to cut bills, reduce emissions, and protect the environment.  An enhanced service, to be launched in Autumn this year, will provide tailored guidance and support, including information on measures such as heat pumps, solar panels and batteries, available funding and support schemes, accredited installers, and green finance options, all in one place.

This summer, the first annual Energising Britain events were hosted by Government and the Local Net Zero Hubs in Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London, to celebrate and highlight community-led climate and nature action.

After this Summer’s unprecedented heatwaves, public concern has understandably risen. The Prime Minister will be hosting a Wildfire Summit and we are working with our Climate and Nature Security Taskforce on our resilience to a changing climate.

Ofgem estimates that transmission owners will invest up to around £70 billion in Great Britain's electricity transmission network between 2025-26 and 2030-31. The majority of this spend remains subject to further in-period approval.

As well as supporting delivery of Clean Power 2030, this will accommodate growing electricity demand and reduce network constraints resulting from generation build having historically outpaced network build. Some expenditure also reflects essential asset replacement and maintenance.

Government monitors the progress of transmission projects required to meet our goal of clean power through regular engagement with industry and regulators. Cost estimates for individual projects are developed and maintained by the relevant transmission owners and are subject to regulatory scrutiny by Ofgem. Transmission owners are only permitted to recover costs that Ofgem determines are efficiently incurred.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Sea Link is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Beauly to Denny including the substation works is 31/12/2031. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic networks planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Long duration electricity storage (LDES) allows excess renewable generation to be stored and then used at peak times, helping to maximise the use of low-cost homegrown energy and reduce reliance on expensive global gas markets. New LDES will be built for the first time in over forty years under the cap and floor policy brought in by this government.

Ofgem is the independent regulator and decision maker for the cap and floor scheme appointed by government to deliver the policy. It assessed all projects through its Multi Criteria Assessment framework, with analytical support from NESO on whole system impacts. This assessment included consideration of locational factors.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 1 is 31/12/2028. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Eastern Green Link 3 is 31/08/2034. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Nuclear Waste Services is in the process of developing the business case assumptions for the next phase of the GDF programme and revised lifetime plan.

Nuclear Waste Services and NISTA will also undertake an Assurance of Action Plan this Autumn.

We work closely with the TOs on delivery of network projects, including identifying opportunities to accelerate delivery. As of 31st March, 64 of the 68 wider network projects identified by NESO as essential for CP2030 delivery are forecast to deliver by the end of 2030. We know that a clean power system is achievable, and the best way to protect consumers from fossil fuel price volatility.

Data collected in 2025 and published by the National Energy System Operator shows 72.8 GW of capacity allocated to data centres in the GB connection queue across transmission and distribution, with connection dates extending to the late 2030s. It is not currently possible to provide a count of individual projects.

Government recently consulted on measures to manage the current oversubscription of data centre connections and will publish its response in due course.

The Secretary of State speaks to the National Energy System Operator on a regular basis on a range of topics.

Transmission Owners are responsible for delivering transmission projects and are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem monitors delivery against agreed regulatory delivery dates and holds Transmission Owners accountable for the efficient and timely delivery of network upgrades. The licence delivery date for Yorkshire Green is 31/12/2028. Government is taking action to accelerate the build out of electricity network infrastructure, through reforms to planning, regulation, strategic network planning, unlocking supply chains and taking a strategic approach to workforce and skills.

Through the Warm Homes Plan (WHP), the Government is rolling out cost-effective, clean energy technologies that reduce bills including solar, batteries, and heat pumps.

Low-income households can access fully-funded grant support through the Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund where the grants will cover the full cost of measures installed including heating system upgrades. A total of £4.4 billion has been put aside for low-income schemes up to 2030.

Additionally, universal grants of up to £9,000 are available for heat pump installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the WHP also committed to a brand-new scheme offering low interest, government-backed consumer loans supported with £2 billion of public funding.

We’re also taking direct action to reduce energy bills including removing VAT charges on electricity bills, removing policy costs at the last Budget worth an average of £150 per year, and expanding the Warm Homes Discount to six million households last winter and confirming that level of support for the rest of the decade.

Long duration electricity storage (LDES) allows excess renewable generation to be stored and then used at peak times, helping to maximise the use of low-cost homegrown energy and reduce reliance on expensive global gas markets. New LDES will be built for the first time in over forty years under the cap and floor policy brought in by this government.

Ofgem is the independent regulator and decision maker for the cap and floor scheme appointed by government to deliver the policy. It assessed all projects through its Multi Criteria Assessment framework, with analytical support from NESO on whole system impacts. This assessment included consideration of system balancing and constraint management costs and resulted in Ofgem’s minded to decision on projects to support through window one, which includes 3.9GW of Pumped Storage Hydro in Scotland.

The Government recognises the importance of conversion for our nuclear industry and has a stated ambition to re-establish conversion services in the UK. In 2023, through the Nuclear Fuel Fund, we invested £13m, match-funded by Westinghouse, into their conversion project at the Springfield’s site in Preston.

The UK continues to be supportive of this ambition, and the role UK based conversion can play in delivering secure and reliable fuel supply chains.

The Government considers the costs and benefits of energy storage through its wider assessment of future energy system requirements. NESO is assessing the relative costs of delivering different generation, network and storage technology types as part of its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) analysis. The Government has now received NESO’s SSEP Pathway Options Report, which we are carefully considering. Electricity storage projects are delivered through private investment and participation in energy markets.

The Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the environmental impact on rural and coastal areas of energy storage solutions in the event of renewable energy shortfalls. Individual energy storage projects are subject to relevant planning and environmental assessment requirements, with potential impacts considered on a site-specific basis by the appropriate decision-making authority in line with relevant planning policy and environmental legislation.

The scope and content of the Energy Independence Bill will be set out in due course when it is introduced to Parliament.

Government does not prescribe a minimum separation between occupied buildings, such as homes and offices, and electricity transmission lines or battery energy storage units. However, for battery energy storage units Planning Practice Guidance advises applicants and planning authorities to consider National Fire Chiefs Council guidance, which recommends an initial 30-metre distance before mitigations are considered. For electricity transmission lines appropriate separation distances are determined on a case-by-case basis through compliance with applicable safety requirements, relevant planning and consenting considerations, and site-specific assessments.

Transmission operators (TOs) plan their projects in line with the Security and Quality of Supply Standard, which sets criteria for the safe operation of the National Electricity Transmission System. TOs also have regard to the Electricity Transmission Design Principles which includes principles for safe siting.

Siting must comply with Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, which sets requirements such as the height, position and insulation of overhead lines. British Standards for overhead line design are based on IEC/EN international standards.

TOs must also comply with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines on exposure to electric and magnetic fields.

No. The UK uses a combination of grants and other instruments, including loans, as most appropriate to deliver the intended outcomes and provide the best value for money. The majority of UK ICF will continue to be provided through grants. No existing ICF programmes have been switched from grants to loans linked with the recent announcement of £2 bus fares.

The government is committed to identifying the most efficient and environmentally sustainable approaches to connecting offshore wind generation to the electricity networks, including solutions coordinating offshore cabling where they are most optimal.

This is why the National Policy Statements require developers to consider opportunities for offshore coordination and assess designs against cost, and cumulative impacts on the water environment - justifying how the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, reduce, mitigate, compensate), has been applied to address possible impacts.

Offshore wind is crucial to the UK’s energy security and is already playing a central role in reducing billpayers’ exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets and decarbonising the UK’s power sector, generating 17.7% of UK electricity in 2025, up from 0.8% in 2010 and 5.1% in 2015.

Through connections reform, NESO and the Network Companies are issuing revised connections agreements to projects in the queue. The contents of the revised offers are commercially confidential.

Once connections agreements are signed by customers, project details and connection dates are added to the publicly available Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) register (Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) register | National Energy System Operator).

Data centre demand growth remains uncertain, reflecting factors including new connections, utilisation, efficiency improvements and wider AI adoption. The Department is working with NESO, Ofgem and industry to monitor developments and assess plausible demand scenarios and their implications for the electricity system.

Government is rapidly expanding renewable generation, providing access to increasingly clean power through the electricity network. Economy-wide demand projections will inform decisions on the generation, network and flexibility infrastructure needed to maintain a secure, affordable and decarbonised electricity system. In realising AI’s potential, the Government will also take seriously the potential risks identified by experts of its development.

The Government's Warm Homes Plan, published earlier this year, represents the biggest public investment in home upgrades in British history, rolling out cost-effective, clean energy technologies that reduce bills including solar, batteries, and heat pumps.

Low-income households can access fully-funded grant support through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, delivered through local authorities, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, delivered through social housing providers.

Additionally, universal grants of up to £9,000 are available for heat pump installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the Warm Homes Plan also committed to brand-new scheme offering low interest, government-backed consumer loans supported with £2 billion of public funding, providing further help with upfront costs.

It is clear that the heating oil sector is not working as it should for consumers, and we welcome the CMA’s report identifying issues in the sector. We will fight the corner of all those affected by the rise in heating oil prices, including those in rural communities, and we have acted swiftly to get support to these households as quickly as possible.

We are considering the CMA’s recommendations to create a fairer system for households and commit to issuing an official response within 90 days of publication.

CCUS will decarbonise industry and power in a way that drives growth, supports high productivity jobs and accelerates towards net zero. Through CCUS we can produce flexible, low-carbon power which will displace the use of unabated gas when renewable energy sources like solar and wind are not available. CCUS will be essential to meeting our climate commitments, with the Climate Change Committee (CCC) saying they “cannot see a route to Net Zero that does not include CCS.” Our modelling shows that CCUS forms part of the lowest-cost pathway to meeting carbon budgets and net zero.

Norwich to Tilbury is being developed by National Grid, who are responsible for its construction and delivery. Under Ofgem's Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework, the licence delivery date for the project is December 2031. The project is the subject of a live application for development consent; it would not be appropriate to comment further on its timetable while that process is ongoing.