Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This government has made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it.

We are in the process of reviewing responses to our community benefits and shared ownership for low carbon energy infrastructure working paper and intend to publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.

In the meantime, Solar Energy UK, the industry trade body, are planning to publish a voluntary community benefit protocol later this year.

An applicant seeking development consent for an energy-related nationally significant infrastructure project must submit a Funding Statement as part of the application process. This is assessed by both the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State prior to a decision on whether to consent the project being made.

The answering of Ministerial invitations and Parliamentary Questions is shared across Private Offices and the Parliamentary Unit. Full time equivalency on these work streams fluctuates with business needs.

An applicant seeking development consent for an energy-related nationally significant infrastructure project must submit a Funding Statement as part of the application process.

Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in taking decisions on applications for development consent for energy infrastructure proposals, it would not be appropriate to comment on specific matters related to the individual projects, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process.

National security risk assessments are matters for the Investment Security Unit within the Cabinet Office.

Great British Energy – Nuclear purchased the sites at Wylfa and Oldbury in 2024. As sites which have previously hosted a nuclear power station, both have positive attributes for new nuclear. No decisions have yet been taken on any projects to be deployed at either site. Our plans will be set out in due course

Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain and works to protect energy consumers and ensure they are treated fairly.

Under the terms of Ofgem’s Standard Licence Conditions, customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

If a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and bring down energy bills, and therefore direct debits, permanently.

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

I recognise that connection costs can be higher in rural areas that are distant from the wider electricity network. Under Ofgem’s price control framework, network companies are investing in new electricity network capacity ahead of need. This should reduce connection costs, including in rural areas. Ofgem has also reduced the proportion of connection costs that fall to the connecting customer where distribution network upgrades are required. In addition, connection customers can choose an Independent Connection Provider that can often deliver cheaper connections.

As of the end of September 2025, there is 20.0GW of solar generating capacity in the UK. Deployment statistics are published monthly, here: Solar photovoltaics deployment - GOV.UK.

According to the July edition of the Renewable Energy Planning Database, there is 2.4GW of solar capacity under construction and 12.0GW of solar awaiting the result of either an application for planning permission or a planning appeal. These figures exclude installations smaller than 150kW. The REPD is available here: Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract - GOV.UK.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Energy nationally significant infrastructure projects are already included in the Renewable Energy Planning Database, which can be seen by filtering by planning authority for The Planning Inspectorate.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract

The Government has not made an assessment of any relationship between connecting to the electricity network and changes in rural populations.

The remediation costs sit with the original installer and we have been clear that no household should be asked to pay any money to put things right. We expect most remediation for solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 or GBIS to cost between £250 and £6,000 for IWI and £5,000 and £18,000 for EWI. This should be covered by the guarantee should the installer no longer be trading.

79% of the UK public are concerned about climate change [1], and are aware of and support the government’s net zero target [2]. We have a credible plan for delivering net zero. The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan sets out how the UK will continue to reduce emissions in a way that lowers bills and secures good jobs, as well as bringing warmer homes, cleaner air and increased access to nature – delivering tangible improvements to the everyday lives of people now and for generations to come.

[1] Public Attitudes Tracker, Summer 2025

[2] 91% are aware of UK’s net zero goal (Public Attitudes Tracker, Summer 2025) and 63% support it (Climate barometer 2025)

The draft requirements of, and costs associated with, the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme will be published in a consultation and options assessment shortly. Heat network regulation is designed to be proportionate and to reduce costs in the longer term.

Further details on funding allocations for heat network schemes including the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme will be set out in the Warm Homes Plan later this year.

The Government remains supportive of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility and is proud to have assisted Brazil to develop the initiative. TFFF is an important opportunity and we want to see it succeed. We will continue to provide support to TFFF, including through co-funding the World Bank programme that will operationalise the Facility, and through the AIM4Forests programme, which will provide critical technical assistance to support delivery of TFFF.

Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) have the potential to provide reliable, low-carbon energy for electricity generation and energy uses beyond baseload power.

At the Spending Review, the government committed to provide a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear technologies. Great British Energy – Nuclear has been tasked with assessing proposals within a new framework, with the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects. The new framework will be published shortly.

The Government’s UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics include emissions from refrigerated transport. However, not all of these emissions are identified separately as some are aggregated with other emissions. For example, emissions where refrigeration is powered by the main engine of a vehicle are included with other goods vehicles.

Emissions are identifiable in two cases:

• emissions of fluorinated gases from refrigerated transport, which were 0.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2023 (0.1% of the UK total).
• emissions from fuel combustion in auxiliary engines powering refrigerated transport, which were 0.3 MtCO2e in 2023 (0.1% of the UK total).

The Government commissioned an independent statistical audit in April 2025. Two random samples of audits of external (EWI) and internal wall installations (IWI), across the household populations of both schemes were commissioned to understand non‑compliance rates. 98% of EWI audits need to be remediated. For IWI, that number is 29%.

The samples are not large enough to reliably perform any regional analysis. As we continue with further audits, we will seek to begin to collect this data.

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

Data for electricity generated in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, by fuel, is published in Energy Trends: December 2024, special feature article - Electricity generation and supply in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, 2019 to 2023 - GOV.UK. Data for 2024 will be published on 18^th December 2025.

Data for electricity generated in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, by fuel, is published in Energy Trends: December 2024, special feature article - Electricity generation and supply in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, 2019 to 2023 - GOV.UK. Data for 2024 will be published on 18^th December 2025.

The nuclear industry has a proud record of supporting tens of thousands of well-paid, highly skilled, unionised jobs, which are vital to communities across the country.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority permanently employs 17,500 people and invests £45m each year in apprentice and graduate development supporting the Nuclear Skills Agenda. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority also supports approximately 5,000 companies as part of its supply chain. The economic impact of the NDA group was reported upon in 2022 [1] and has most recently undertaken an economic impact assessment which will be published this financial year [2]

[1] Microsoft Word - Magnox economic impact assessment - 2022, The economic contribution of the NDA to the West Cumbria economy, Dounreay_Socio-economic_report_2022.pdf

[2] at Nuclear Decommissioning Authority - GOV.UK

Six new tidal stream projects secured contracts in Allocation Round 6 (AR6) of the Contracts for Difference Scheme. The UK is now on track to have 130MW of tidal stream deployed by 2029. The parameters for Allocation Round 7 (AR7) were published in July and the budget for technologies including tidal will be published later in the year. This will include any minima, maxima or ringfencing information.

The previous government consulted on amending an exemption within the ecodesign requirements for lighting products, which would enable individuals with photosensitivity to access light sources suitable for their condition. We will set out our position in the Government Response in due course.

We are committed to working with all Parties to secure outcomes across the COP30 negotiations, including on just transitions, which are a critical opportunity to ensure that workers and communities benefit from the economic transition to net zero. The Secretary of State has spoken to a range of international counterparts over the last year regarding maximising the ambition of outcomes at COP30 this year.

Net zero is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. Meeting climate targets will cost less than failing to deal with climate change. The Climate Change Committee estimates the cost of meeting net zero targets will be on average the equivalent of 0.2% of UK GDP per year and the OBR estimates the cost of failing to deal with climate change will be 5% of UK GDP per year

The 0.2% cost also does not take into account the wider beneficial growth impacts of net zero investment. Since July 2024, £52bn of private investment has been announced in our clean energy industries

The OBR is clear that the costs of climate damage are getting higher, while the cost of the net zero transition is getting lower. Only by investing in the transition now can we reduce costs in future.

The Government does not hold data on what proportion of renewable energy equipment installed in the UK was manufactured in China.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.

Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.

The government is committed to ensuring energy efficiency schemes deliver measurable benefits for households. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring how to better target support and improve outcomes.

While the government has not made a formal assessment of the Sustainable Energy Association’s specific proposal, we will continue to engage with stakeholders on innovative approaches to improve affordability and effectiveness of retrofit delivery.

The last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, closed on 30 September 2024.

The Government has also announced it will introduce new legislation as soon as possible to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines.

Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK

(a)There is no evidence in the data held in the DESNZ HR Oracle system of any employee being dismissed during their probationary period.

(b) Probation extensions are not centrally recorded in the Oracle HR System.

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) was created in February 2023.

In the period 23/24: 1 Employment Tribunal (ET) claim was lodged for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

In the period 24/25: 2 ET claims were lodged for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination and 1 ET claim for unfair dismissal alone.

In the period 25/26: 1 ET claim has been lodged for disability discrimination alone.

The government consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course. Sustainable finance is a key priority for the government and is one of the growth pillars for the financial services sector in the Industrial Strategy. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy. Transition planning can help businesses and investors identify and seize the economy-wide opportunities of the net zero transition, catalysing investment across the whole economy to create jobs, boost exports and drive economic growth.

The government consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course. Sustainable finance is a key priority for the government and is one of the growth pillars for the financial services sector in the Industrial Strategy. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy. Transition planning can help businesses and investors identify and seize the economy-wide opportunities of the net zero transition, catalysing investment across the whole economy to create jobs, boost exports and drive economic growth.

The government consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course. Sustainable finance is a key priority for the government and is one of the growth pillars for the financial services sector in the Industrial Strategy. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy. Transition planning can help businesses and investors identify and seize the economy-wide opportunities of the net zero transition, catalysing investment across the whole economy to create jobs, boost exports and drive economic growth.

The government consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course. Sustainable finance is a key priority for the government and is one of the growth pillars for the financial services sector in the Industrial Strategy. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy. Transition planning can help businesses and investors identify and seize the economy-wide opportunities of the net zero transition, catalysing investment across the whole economy to create jobs, boost exports and drive economic growth.