Tag: Energy Security and Net Zero Department

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 August 2026.

Households can save hundreds on bills as plug-in solar panels become legal to use and buy across the country.

• Plug-in solar panels now legal to buy and use across the country 
• Households could save up to £110 a year, with panels providing up to 20% of average home electricity use 
• Savings follow government cuts to VAT on energy bills to offer breathing space this winter 

More families are set to save money on bills as plug-in solar panels become legal across Great Britain.  

From today (27 August), the easy-to-install panels can be plugged into homes across the country, saving households up to £110 a year on their bills through clean, homegrown power. 

Each plug-in solar kit produces up to 800W of power, enough to provide up to 20% of an average home’s electricity use. This can run a typical fridge, television, Wi-Fi router, laptop, phone charger and an Xbox S operating at once when the sun is shining.  

This all comes with no installation cost and without taking any electricity from the grid. 

The legal changes follow rigorous, independent safety testing, covering all key electrical elements, which shows that compliant panels are safe and compatible with UK wiring.  

The UK safety specification is more stringent than that of Germany, where the technology is already widely used and around half a million new devices were plugged in last year. 

Homegrown power is the only way to deliver energy security for the country and financial security for families and businesses.  

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 

Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way for households to take control of their energy bills and start saving straight away.  

From this summer, we’re giving more families the ability power their homes with clean homegrown energy.

Major retailers, such as Currys, B&Q, Screwfix and Amazon have worked with government on the rollout of plug-in solar and will soon have them available to purchase in stores and online.   

The low-cost panels can be put in any outdoor space or on some balconies. Before purchasing or installing plug-in solar devices, people should check whether any permissions are required for the property. This may include permission from a landlord and/or building owner or freeholder permission, planning permission or listed building consent. 

Decisions on whether to approve requests are a matter for landlords, freeholders or councils, but we encourage them to consider each case on its individual merits. 

Enabling these easy-to-install panels is just one of the ways the government is giving people breathing space to help tackle bills.  

In July, the Prime Minister announced plans to cut VAT on energy bills to give families breathing space this winter. This builds on the £150 of costs taken off energy bills in the Budget last year and the expansion of the £150 Warm Home Discount to around six million households.  

Retailers including Amazon, Argos, Curry’s and Wickes have all committed to stocking plug-in solar panels. 

John Boumphrey, UK & Ireland Country Manager, Amazon said: 

Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of carbon-free energy in the UK, and we’ve invested in 50 solar and wind projects to date.  

The government’s announcement on plug-in solar panels is a practical step that gives households a simple way to generate their own power, reduce bills, and contribute to the UK’s net zero goals. We’re looking forward to helping customers benefit from this technology. 

Graham Biggart, Managing Director for Argos, said:  

We’re really pleased to now offer plug-in solar panels for Argos customers. By making this technology more accessible, we’re putting more power in the hands of our customers and helping them explore practical ways to manage energy use at home. 

As a brand trusted by millions of customers across the UK, we’re proud to bring innovative products like this to more homes and give customers greater confidence and choice when it comes to emerging home technologies.

Michelle Gorringe-Smith, Director of New Categories at Currys, said:  

The safe roll-out of plug-in solar products represents an important step in supporting consumers with ways to save money on their energy bills. 

We’ll continue to work closely with DESNZ and our suppliers to make these products available to UK households as soon as possible, including through both our website and larger stores.

David Wood, CEO, Wickes:  

By giving people a simpler and more affordable way to generate clean energy at home, this technology has the potential to put solar within reach of many more households.  

With the UK having some of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe, making energy-saving technologies easier to access will be an important part of helping people reduce their energy bills and supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future.  

We look forward to making these products available online to our customers in the coming weeks.

Joanna O’Loan, Knowledge Manager at Energy Saving Trust, said:  

The arrival of plug-in solar panels represents a significant milestone in expanding access to clean energy for households across Great Britain. 

While the savings will vary from home to home, plug-in solar panels will give more people greater control over their energy use and costs. As these products become more widely available, access to clear and reliable information is essential to help people make informed choices that are right for their home and budget.

Chris Hewitt, CEO Solar Energy UK, said: 

This is a great example of Industry and government coming together and delivering quickly for Britain.  

Solar and batteries are already the most effective way for homes and businesses to slash their energy bills by more than half, and making plug-in solar lawful will bring cheap, clean power to households that have not been able to access these benefits before.  

Our industry continues to work closely with government to ensure that all customers can have confidence in the safety and reliability of these new technologies.

Gary Booker, Managing Director of British Gas, said:   

Until now, generating solar power has required the right roof, the right home and significant upfront investment. That’s why innovations like plug-in solar are so important. They open up the benefits of solar to more households, enabling more people to produce some of their own electricity. 

At British Gas, we’re pleased to be bringing this technology to our customers, giving them more control over their energy use and helping them save money on their bills.

Trevor Hutchings, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association said:

From today, with little more than a trip to the shops, people in Britain will be able to harness the energy of the sun to power their households.

The arrival of plug-in solar is a huge step forward in democratising renewable energy and giving everyone the access they deserve to clean, cheap, homegrown power. Plug-in solar saves money – up to £100 a year – and it’s only right that this benefit should be felt by renters and flat-owners as well.

Our electricity prices are some of the highest because of our exposure to volatile international gas markets.  Innovations like plug-in solar and the wider renewables roll out will help us bring down bills and strengthen our energy sovereignty.

David Boyer, Director of Electricity Systems, at Energy Networks Association, said:

This is a major step forward for incorporating micro generation safely and efficiently onto the UK’s energy grid. Network operators will continue to work closely with government, Ofgem and manufactures to ensure the registration process for micro generation evolves to meet consumer demands.

There is already record demand for solar power across the country. Figures released by MCS recently showed there were almost 150,000 solar panel certified installations in the first six months of 2026, up 17% on the previous highest start to a year in 2025. That is the equivalent to an installation every 74 seconds.  

Battery installations have also risen significantly, with installations almost double the same period last year with 36,000 certified installations. 

Legalising plug-in solar panels builds on savings homeowners can already make of up to £480 a year from rooftop solar, helping more people in a range of property types generate their own clean electricity and cut their energy bills.  

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 6 July 2026.

Bradford, Manchester, Bristol, London and Birmingham are the first cities to host annual ‘Energising Britain’ events.

Across the country today, communities are coming together to showcase how they are accelerating clean energy, nature protection and tackling climate change, as the government today (Monday 6 July) launches its first ever wave of ‘Energising Britain’ events.

Through local action, communities are helping deliver the benefits of climate action for British people – from clean, homegrown energy and lower bills to nature restoration and cleaner air. 

As families and businesses across the UK brace themselves for what is expected to be the third heatwave of the summer this week, the government is launching its first ever series of events to connect with local communities on climate and nature action, bringing together over 500 people in climate and nature leadership, local business, civil society, education and more to ensure people’s voices help shape the UK’s net zero agenda. 

In Bradford, the Minister for Climate, Katie White, opened the inaugural ‘Energising Britain’ event at Bradford City FC. The event will include speakers from the football club and Feversham Primary School who have saved money on their energy bills by rolling out rooftop solar panels.  

In Manchester, Minister White opened the afternoon session ahead of a panel on culture, youth and faith, where Liverpool FC will speak about their role engaging large audiences on climate change, the Youth Focus North West on how the young can engage adults around them, and the Carbon CO-OP on energy cost savings in the home. 

Bristol’s event focused on how community-led climate and nature action is improving lives locally. Sessions will take place on the Creative Clean Power Pilot project powering live events with renewable energy, practical electrification projects, future energy systems and effective climate communication, as well as boat tours of Bristol Harbour visiting England’s largest harbour-based water source heat pump and a floating ecosystem with more than 6,000 native aquatic plants and trees to support wildlife.   

In London, local partners came together to explore how communities can help accelerate electrification across homes, buildings and transport.   

In Birmingham, local partners came together to explore how local action can support electrification and climate and nature action. There will be a focus on regional activity across local authorities, communities, businesses and sector partners, connecting electrification to rural communities, faith groups, culture, music and the arts. 

The events are being organised by the Local Net Zero Hubs, the national network of local partnerships to support local authorities and the communities they serve develop clean energy projects local people see and feel the benefit of.

Minister for Climate, Katie White, said: 

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as our climate changes – from heatwaves in summer to flooding in the winter. 

The need to take climate action has never been clearer, and through our ‘Energising Britain’ events, we’re making sure local communities across the country have their say on climate action and clean, homegrown energy. 

We know government cannot drive this mission alone – by working together with local communities, we can accelerate our work on climate action and clean power to deliver lower bills, good jobs and cleaner air now and for generations to follow.

Rachael Orr, CEO of Climate Outreach said:  

We’ve made incredible progress in tackling climate change – but too few people know about it. The ‘Energising Britain’ events are a brilliant opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come in lowering our emissions and electrifying our energy supply – and energise the people leading the charge to build on this momentum.   

We also know there’s so much more to do. Recent heatwaves across the UK have reinforced the importance and urgency of tackling climate change and restoring nature so we can protect the people and places we love. The events today can also help us think about how people and communities can come together and rise to this challenge together.

Dr Sue Griffiths, CEO of The Young Foundation, said:  

Across the country, communities are already demonstrating what a fair and inclusive green transition can look like, and the ‘Energising Britain’ events shine a spotlight on that leadership. The transition to a cleaner, greener future will only succeed if people feel part of it.

By bringing together communities, practitioners and local leaders to share ideas, build relationships and shape solutions that reflect the realities of different places, these events show how local knowledge, participation and collaboration can help turn national ambition into lasting change on the ground. Involving people in shaping the future of their communities helps ensure that the benefits of the transition are felt widely, fairly and in ways that strengthen communities.  

James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub, said:  

The transition to clean energy is vital if we are to achieve a sustainable future, and that transition cannot happen without the support and inclusion of our citizens. This is why the Public Participation Strategy is such an important part of the country’s work on climate and nature action. We are delighted to celebrate some of the best engagement practitioners from the North West as part of ‘Energising Britain’, and we look forward to the new approaches and partnerships that this event will help to create.

North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub Manager Karen Oliver Spry, said: 

The government and Great British Energy have set the ambition of every community in the country having the opportunity to benefit from locally-owned energy by 2030, and this event is a sign of the extent to which this has been embraced by our region, with communities in every corner of Yorkshire and the North East generating clean electricity which local people see and feel the benefit from. 

When the Hub was created there were only 9 community energy groups in the North East and Yorkshire and today we’re working with close to 150 – growth of over 1,000% – and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to bring so many of these energy communities together to learn from and inspire each other and the next generation of community energy projects, and to welcome the Minister to see the progress which is being made. 

Steve Ransom, Head of Net Zero Delivery, West of England Combined Authority said: 

We are very excited to be working with DESNZ and The South West Net Zero Hub to deliver this flagship event. ‘Energising Britain’ will showcase some of the amazing work on climate change and nature recovery already happening across all sectors in the South West. We look forward to meeting the passionate communities already involved for an inspiring day to explore how we can strengthen public participation and communicate the benefits of the transition to clean energy for all.

Maxine Narburgh, Regional Director, Greater South East Net Zero Hub said:  

Communities across the Greater South East are already showing that the transition to clean energy is something that happens with people, not to them. From local organisations and community energy groups to businesses and public sector partners, there is real momentum behind community-led electrification. 

‘Energising Britain’ is an opportunity to bring those voices together, celebrate what’s already working, share practical experience, and build the partnerships needed to accelerate progress. By working collaboratively, we can ensure the transition to clean, affordable energy is inclusive, delivers tangible benefits for local people and places, and leaves a lasting legacy for communities across our region.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 30 June 2026.

Scotland has areas with “high potential” for new nuclear development from a technical perspective, according to a new siting study by the government’s nuclear delivery body.

The Energy Secretary commissioned Great British Energy-Nuclear in autumn last year to conduct a technical study into potential suitable areas in Scotland for possible new nuclear developments in the future, including small modular reactors or large-scale power stations.

Their report identified the following areas currently associated with nuclear power:

• Torness, East Lothian
• Dounreay, Caithness
• Hunterston, North Ayrshire

As well as other potential areas around the Firth of Forth Estuary and Eastern coast of Scotland.

The UK government is delivering a golden age of nuclear, greenlighting Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors in North Wales – supporting thousands of jobs across the country and boosting energy security with clean homegrown power.

However, the Scottish Government has a long-standing policy that it will not grant planning consent to new nuclear projects in Scotland. UK ministers remain open to discussions with the Scottish Government on deploying new nuclear technologies in Scotland.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

For decades thousands of Scots have worked in the nuclear sector and provided the country with low-carbon, reliable power.

This new report shows there is potential for new nuclear in Scotland, which could boost the country’s energy security and deliver new jobs.

We are delivering a golden age of nuclear in England and Wales from Sizewell C to small modular reactors. Sadly Scotland is missing out on the enormous economic and energy security potential.

The nuclear industry now employs a record  98,000 people across the UK , according to the Nuclear Industry Association , and the sector has already seen  11,000 new jobs  last year following government-led investment.  Meanwhile Scotland represented the smallest jobs growth in the nuclear sector last year due to a lack of new projects.

The government-commissioned report concluded that Scotland has land areas with high potential for new nuclear development, although further detailed site-specific studies, including assessment of grid requirements, community engagement with and development of a commercial case, would be required to confirm suitability for any particular new nuclear project.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive at the Nuclear Industry Association, said: 

Scotland has the sites, skills, and decades of engineering expertise for new nuclear projects, alongside strong community support. Scotland deserves the same investment and opportunities that are going into new nuclear in England and Wales. It’s time for a new dialogue about energy policy and a robust, diverse mix of clean power sources. New nuclear in Scotland can play a key part in that and unlock new investment that strengthens energy security, supports local communities, and creates thousands of jobs.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 June 2026.

Leading security, military and academics have joined forces with the government to boost the UK’s preparedness for the security impacts of climate change.

• Government brings together leading security, military and academic experts to tackle growing climate threats
• New taskforce will boost UK preparedness for climate change – identifying gaps, assessing risks and providing independent recommendations and expertise on climate and nature threats to national security
• Climate change and nature loss are driving instability, economic disruption and threatening Britain’s way of life

Leading security, military and academic experts have joined forces with the government to boost the UK’s preparedness for the security impacts of climate change and nature loss. 

Climate Minister Katie White has today (Friday 26 June) announced the launch a first-of-its-kind expert taskforce that will advise government on how to better anticipate and respond to the growing risks climate change poses to national security. 

The UK’s 2025 National Security Strategy makes clear that climate and nature loss are core drivers of global instability, economic disruption and security risk. 

As Britian experiences another record heatwave this week, climate change is already impacting families and businesses. The UK Health Security Agency estimated over 1,500 heat related deaths last summer and analysis has shown in 2025 hot and dry conditions led to £800 million in crop losses for British farming.

Co-chaired by Climate Minister Katie White and Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle, the taskforce will meet to pinpoint gaps in the UK’s preparedness and identify the most serious climate and nature threats to national security. It will also review existing resilience work across government and set out clear recommendations to strengthen readiness. It builds on continued action to tackle the climate crisis and protect future generations. Earlier this month, the government set out a world‑leading target for the seventh Carbon Budget — cutting emissions by 87% between 2038 and 2042 — helping to cut bills, shield families from fossil fuel price spikes, and drive investment in the UK’s clean energy economy.

Minister for Climate, Katie White, said:  

Climate change is no longer a distant concern. It is a security challenge that is reshaping the world in which we all live. 

Recent events in the Middle East make clear just how exposed the systems which we all depend on are to shocks, which can quickly cascade and impact the every day lives of families and businesses. 

We’re convening this taskforce, the first of its kind, to make sure that we are prepared as possible for the security challenges that climate change creates.

Minister for Security, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, said: 

The climate crisis is a growing threat to our national security, from disrupting supply chains, which pushes up prices in the shops, to driving conflict and instability around the world.

This new taskforce will bring together leading experts to make sure Britain is better prepared for these risks – strengthening our resilience at home and ensuring we can respond to an increasingly uncertain world.

These risks are increasingly crossing borders and sectors, with knock-on effects for migration, access to food and water, energy systems, supply chains and financial stability. 

The taskforce will take a joined-up look at climate security. In practice, this means:  

• looking at how climate impacts overseas can translate into domestic pressures, including more people living in climate-vulnerable conditions and the consequences for UK
• understanding the risks to the UK and global economy, including what happens when assets, infrastructure or whole regions become too risky to insure or invest in
• exploring rising geopolitical tensions in places like the Arctic, where melting ice is creating security challenges

The initial group of Taskforce members include: 

• Tim Benton, Professor Emeritus, University of Leeds; formerly Research Director & Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House
• Nick Bridge, Associate Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House
• Duncan de Pledge, Senior Lecturer in Geopolitics and Security, Loughborough University
• Bassam Fattouh, Director, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. 
• Olivia Lazard, Planetary Fellow, Berggruen Institute   
• General Richard Nugee, Non-Executive Director for Climate Change and Sustainability, MOD 
• Nathalie Pettorelli, Professor, Institute of Zoology, ZSL   
• Janani Vivekananda, Director of Climate Diplomacy and Security Programme, Adelphi Global  

Further members of the taskforce will be announced in due course.

Janani Vivekananda, Director of Climate Diplomacy and Security Programme, Adelphi Global, said:  

Security in the 2020s means climate security. I’m honoured to join this Taskforce to help ensure the UK acts early and decisively — with integrated, evidence‑based and accountable responses that prevent climate and nature risks from becoming crises, protect people, and strengthen the conditions for peace.  

General Richard Nugee, Non-Executive Director for Climate Change and Sustainability, MOD, said: 

I am delighted to be joining a TaskForce that puts climate change and biodiversity loss at the heart of National Security for this country. Both have significant implications for the Security and well being of the state and must be addressed for our people.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 June 2026.

Households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible for £9,000 off a heat pump, helping them cut bills.

• Thousands of households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible for a £9,000 heat pump grant 
• Funding will help rural households make the move from heating oil to a heat pump, protecting them from fossil fuel price spikes
• Information on how to apply will be landing on doormats of thousands of eligible households this week 

Thousands of households on heating oil across England and Wales will be eligible to receive £9,000 to switch to a heat pump this summer, saving them money on their energy bills. 

From 21 July the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant is being increased by 20%, from £7,500 to £9,000, to help rural households make the move from heating oil to a heat pump.

This will electrify families’ heating, protecting them from fossil fuel price spikes and providing greater certainty over energy bills.

Leaflets will be dropping onto the doormats of 200,000 eligible homes in England and Wales this week with more information on how to claim the extra funding. 

Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said  

This government is determined to bring down energy bills, but I know the war in the Middle East has hit households on heating oil especially hard.

We have already taken action to support these households through confirming over £50 million in support for vulnerable customers on heating oil. 

Now, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will help thousands of families across England and Wales switch to clean heat to protect them from volatile fossil fuels.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme uplift runs alongside measures that the Energy Secretary set out earlier in the year to help cut bills for families and deliver more clean, homegrown power.

The Social Housing Fund will receive a £100 million boost to support the delivery of up to 57,000 solar installations for households in England this financial year. The measures will cut bills by hundreds of pounds and support up to one million homes reach EPC C.

Additionally, to build on the success of Great British Energy’s solar scheme, the government is backing the company to extend support for more rooftop solar installations on a further 100 schools and colleges this year alone.

The Warm Homes Plan, available to all households, will help roll out clean technology to millions, cutting bills and securing thousands of good jobs.

Charlotte Lee, CEO, Heat Pump Association UK, said:

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme continues to play a vital role in supporting households to adopt heat pumps, and this £1,500 uplift will make the transition significantly more affordable for the thousands of oil-heated homes. 

Many of these households have faced considerable price uncertainty in recent months, without the protection of the energy price cap, and this £9,000 grant will help shield families from volatile fossil fuel costs, by using home grown electricity, in the years ahead.

Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: 

This uplift is an important step in making heat pumps more accessible to rural households, allowing them to see the benefits the technology can offer.

As the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like heat pumps, our mission is to give everyone confidence in home-grown energy. 

We do this by setting the standards you should always expect from an MCS certified installer and the products they use, while providing robust protections to give you peace of mind in your investment.

Households considering making the switch to a heat pump with the help of the BUS can search for an MCS certified installer near them using our Find an Installer tool.

Matt Copeland, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at National Energy Action says:

This is a positive step for households relying on heating oil, who have recently faced the highest and most volatile energy costs. 

Many families will be expecting to ration their heating in the coming winter, living in homes they cannot afford to keep warm, not through choice but constraint. 

Supporting the shift to cleaner heating in these homes can help deliver greater stability and lower bills. 

The real test will be whether this support reaches those most at risk and makes homes genuinely affordable to heat.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 24 June 2026.

Energy Secretary announces that government has secured £100 billion of private clean energy investment.

• It comes one year after the government launched its Modern Industrial Strategy

More than £100 billion in clean energy investment announcements has been secured since the government came to office, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will confirm at London Climate Action Week, as he declares Britain is part of a global boom in clean energy that is creating jobs across the UK and boosting energy security. 

It follows a recent announcement of up to £9 billion investment from Japan into the UK’s offshore wind industry, and Rolls-Royce SMR winning a multi-billion-pound Sweden nuclear export contract off the back of the UK’s pioneering SMR programme. Meanwhile today (Tuesday 23 June), National Grid confirmed £1.2 billion of contracts to upgrade 1,000km of transmission lines. 

This year’s renewable auctions have unlocked the largest chunk of private investment this parliament, with £27 billion mobilised in clean energy investment. $2 trillion investment is expected globally in clean energy this year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

The UK’s clean energy economy is booming. Today we announce we’ve passed the incredibly significant milestone of over £100 billion of private investment announced in clean energy since our government came to office. That means investment, jobs, growth.

The Energy Secretary is today due to speak alongside the UN Secretary General Antonio Guetteres, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen and Executive Director of the IEA Fatih Birol at the Global Energy Transition and Electrification Summit.

Notes to editors

The over £100 billion in private investment announced figure reflects significant capex announcements since July 2024 into UK clean energy plans and projects, regardless of whether the investment has reached a final investment decision, or not.

This total excludes investment announced prior to July 2024 as well as accounting for double counting of specific projects across announcements. Further detail and explanation are available at Sources – Clean Energy Homepage.

The IEA World Energy Investment Report 2026 reports that globally in 2026 around USD 2.2 trillion is expected to go collectively to renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification, and some USD 1.2 trillion to oil, natural gas and coal.

Breakdown of announced private investment

UK-wide/multiple region

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
UK wide	Iberdrola UK capex plan	Iberdrola/Scottish Power	Renewables, grid	24.0
UK wide	Octopus capex plan	Octopus Energy	Clean energy projects	2.0
UK wide	Social housing retrofit	Barclays/Lloyds/NatWest/Rothesay	Social housing retrofit	1.7
UK wide	Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 projects	10 projects	Hydrogen	0.4
UK wide	UK secured £7.5 billion Japanese investment in key growth sectors	Sumitomo Corp	Key UK infrastructure and clean energy projects	7.5
UK wide	OnPath capex plan	OnPath	UK onshore wind, solar and storage capex	1.0
UK wide	Eelpower battery	Aware Super and Equitix	BESS	0.3
UK Wide	AR7 Fixed and Floating Offshore Wind projects	Multiple	Offshore wind	22.0
UK Wide	AR7 onshore wind and solar projects	Multiple	Onshore wind and solar	5.0
UK Wide	Hithium	Hithium	BESS	0.2
UK wide	National Grid Extended and upgraded 5-year Financial Framework	National Grid	Networks	40.0
UK wide	UK and Japan unlock significant inward investments totalling up to £9 billion in offshore wind	Multiple	Offshore Wind	9.0
UK wide	Macquarie capex plan	Macquarie	“Green infrastructure”	1.3
Scotland, Devon, Greater Manchester and Wales	6 battery storage systems	Pulse Clean Energy	BESS	0.2
UK wide	UK solar portfolio	Environmena	Solar	0.5
England	Hybrid solar & storage	British Solar Renewables	Solar and storage	0.3

North East and North West

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Teesside	Teesside GigaPark battery storage system	Natpower	BESS	1.0
Tyne	Port of Tyne Clean Energy Park	Port of Tyne	Ports	0.2
North West England / Teesside (North East)	CCUS T1	CCUS investors	CCUS	8.0

Yorkshire & the Humber

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England	Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System	Fidra Energy	BESS	0.8

East Midlands

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Nottinghamshire, England	Staythorpe Battery Energy Storage System	EDF/Elements Green	BESS	0.1

East of England

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Thurrock, Essex	Thurrock Flexible Generation	Statera Energy	BESS	0.4
Suffolk, England	Sizewell C	EDF, La Caisse, Centrica, INPP and NLF via Amber Infrastructure	Nuclear	1.1, 1.7, 1.3, 0.7
Norfolk	AMPYR Solar project	AMPYR Solar Europe	Solar	0.2
England (East Anglia) and Germany	Tarchon Energy Interconnector	Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Volta Partners	HVDC Interconnector	1.2

South East of England

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
North Kent	Cleve Hill Solar Park	Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners	Solar deployment with battery	0.2
Bramley, Hampshire	Solar & BESS project	Cero Generation & Enso Energy	Solar & BESS	0.2

West Midlands

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Hams Hall and Berkswell	2 BESS projects	BW Group	BESS	0.5

Wales & Ireland

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
Wales and Ireland	MaresConnect Interconnector	MaresConnect Limited	HVDC Interconnector	0.4
Pembroke, Wales	Pembroke Battery Storage Facility	RWE	BESS	0.2

Scotland

Location	Project	Company	Clean energy type	Private investment value (£bns)
North Sea, off east coast of Scotland	Green Volt floating offshore wind project	Flotation Energy / Vargronn / Greenvolt	Floating offshore wind	2.5
South Lanarkshire/East Coast of Scotland (Kincardine, Fife)	Coalburn 2/Devilla BESS	Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners	BESS	0.8
North Sea, off east coast of Scotland	Cerulean Winds/Aspen offshore wind project	Cerulean Winds/Aspen	Offshore wind	5.9
Kilroot in Northern Ireland to Hunterston in Ayrshire, Scotland	LirIC interconnector	LirIC interconnector	HVDC Interconnector	0.7
Cockenzie, East Lothian (Scotland)	Inch Cape reaching financial close	Red Rock Renewables/ESB	Offshore wind	3.5
Scotland	Nacelle & hub factory	Vestas	Offshore Wind	0.2
Eccles–Leitholm, Scotland	500 MW BESS project	Matrix Renewables	BESS

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 24 June 2026.

More oil and gas workers across Scotland will be offered tailored skills support to seize high-quality jobs in energy and other growth sectors.

• Over a thousand more oil and gas workers to get tailored support to move into new growing industries, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing
• Comes as UK and Scottish governments invest a total of £6 million to expand a successful skills programme that has already helped over 400 North Sea workers retrain
• The expanded scheme will now open to more workers across Scotland, offering the skills needed to access thousands of high-quality jobs in a range of fast-expanding sectors

Over a thousand more oil and gas workers will benefit from tailored career support to access good, well-paid jobs in clean energy and other growth sectors, as a successful skills programme is expanded across Scotland.  

Backed by a total of £6 million from UK and Scottish governments, the expansion follows a successful pilot scheme in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – which has helped over 400 North Sea workers retrain for roles in Scotland’s energy transition. 

Following popular demand, the new scheme will give current and former oil and gas workers living anywhere in Scotland specialist training support, if they wish to transfer their high-value skills into fast-expanding sectors under the energy transition.  

The expansion follows the government’s plans, announced last year, to continue to use the North Sea for decades to come, by managing existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime and supporting new investment in oil and gas production through Transitional Energy Certificates.  

The government will not continue the same failed approach to the North Sea that it inherited, which saw the skilled workforce fall by a third over past decade, without the necessary investment in what comes next. By actively scaling up clean energy industries, the government is paving the way for over 40,000 new roles in Scotland by 2030, creating the next generation of skilled energy workers. 

These jobs are already hitting the market, as latest industry figures show that more than 1,500 new jobs were supported in Scotland’s electricity networks in the last two years alone. Meanwhile, 2025 saw jobs in the UK’s wind industry reach a record high of around 55,000, according to Renewable UK.  

The scheme is also being expanded to provide training support in other growing sectors, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences and defence – where the skills and expertise of oil and gas workers are in demand. 

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

Thousands of good jobs are being created right now in renewable energy and upgrading our grid and we want to make it as easy as possible for people with skills from the oil and gas industry to take advantage of these opportunities. 

This programme has already been oversubscribed so we are investing to expand it to more skilled workers as part of our commitment to deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:

The expansion of the training scheme will support Scotland’s position at the heart of energy production in the UK. The scheme will support more than one thousand oil and gas workers in their transitions into new energy technologies.

After a successful first phase, I am also pleased to see opportunities in different sectors, such as defence and advance manufacturing, are being made available to oil and gas workers in Scotland to utilise their specialist skills and experience.

Scottish Government Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said:

Scotland has the geography, we have the infrastructure, and above all, we have the people to make the most of the energy transition that is upon us.

The workforce that has driven Scotland’s oil and gas industry for generations is one of the most skilled and experienced in the world and it is vital that their expertise is preserved in the North East, and beyond.

A just and managed transition means putting workers, and the communities that depend on them, at the heart of the economic benefits created by that transition. That is exactly what this fund intends to achieve by giving people the freedom to take their world-class skills into new and growing sectors, without being held back by the cost of training.

Eligible oil and gas workers in Scotland will be able to submit new applications for the scheme from today, via Skills Development Scotland’s Transition Training Fund website. Successful applicants to the scheme will receive careers advice and funding towards training courses for highly-skilled and in-demand roles such as in welding, electrical engineering, construction and more.   

The expansion forms part of up to £20 million in joint UK and Scottish Government funding, committed as part of the government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan last year, to provide North Sea oil and gas workers with bespoke careers training for thousands of new roles in clean energy. 

Frank Mitchell, Chair of Skills Development Scotland, said:

The skills and expertise of Scotland’s oil and gas workforce are in demand across a number of growing sectors. 

SDS advisers can help workers in the oil and gas industry to reskill and upskill for careers in growing sectors to help them build on their experience and ultimately transition into new roles. 

The fund will play an important role in ensuring communities across Scotland benefit as much as possible from the continued growth of these key sectors.

Workers will soon be able to access support from a new North Sea Jobs Service, announced as part of the UK government’s North Sea Future Plan last year, that will offer end-to-end career support for oil and gas workers to take up new opportunities in growing sectors – ensuring North Sea communities remain at the heart of Britain’s energy and industrial future. 

Oil and gas workers are also benefitting from the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry and Scottish Government, which helps workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance. This will also be expanded to include more clean energy sectors over time.  

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 17 June 2026.

Action to protect families in the energy market and hold the retrofit industry to account.

• New service to provide stronger oversight of retrofit industry – giving families confidence to upgrade their homes and cut bills 
• Reforms will help fix broken system which led to widespread issues with poor-quality insulation under inherited government schemes 
• Households to get fairer and faster compensation in the energy market under new measures to strengthen the Ombudsman 

Families will be better protected when upgrading their homes, giving them confidence to make improvements and cut their bills. 

Ministers are taking action to hold the retrofit industry to account for delivering home upgrades through a new consumer protection service, under proposals announced today (Wednesday 17 June).  

Plans being consulted on would create:  

• a transparent public register of government approved installers
• a single advice and support service covering the entire time a home is being upgraded 
• powers to hold installers and delivery partners to account, including bans from working on government schemes if they don’t meet high standards
• a new data-backed system that spots risks and installer performance issues earlier 

This will simplify the process for consumers, providing a single point of access offering end-to-end support, quality checks, and routes to redress. 

In the past, people have faced a broken and fragmented system when installing energy efficiency measures and been left frustrated and let down when things have gone wrong, with no clear way to resolve issues. 

Ministers are therefore acting to ensure issues which resulted in flawed insulation under legacy government schemes are never allowed to happen again.  

Consumers will also be supported with faster and fairer compensation in the energy market under new measures to strengthen the Energy Ombudsman, which helps people solve disputes with their energy suppliers.

If companies are not able to resolve issues directly, customers will be able to escalate their complaints to the Ombudsman within a shorter time frame, getting a decision more quickly – cutting overall waiting times by a month, to a maximum of 10 weeks.

The Ombudsman will be empowered to fine companies if they do not comply with their ruling, with new measures set to clarify the route for consumers to go through the courts to hold suppliers to account as a last resort.

Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said:   

This government inherited a broken system that left too many people in homes damaged by work that lacked clear oversight, without support when things went wrong. 

That is why we promised to change that system and today we are setting out how we propose to do that. 

We are building a system that puts consumers first – holding companies to account while introducing better compensation and protections for customers.

From today, the Installation Assurance Authority (IAA) will now cover the cost of repairs to Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) solid wall insulation up to £25,000, up from £20,000, where these are within the terms of the original, still-valid guarantee. This includes cases where the original installer has gone bust. 

The National Energy Foundation, a domestic energy charity, will also cover the cost of relevant repairs for some homes with defective ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation, where the installer has gone out of business and the guarantee was cancelled, fraudulent or missing. 

Since identifying issues with poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, government has set up a comprehensive on-site audit programme offering audits at no cost to the consumer, remediated more than 60% of the issues identified with audits, worked with Ofgem to create a dedicated call centre for affected households, and improved the quality assurance and consumer protection systems currently in place. 

By stamping out bad practice and reforming the broken system inherited by the government, the plans aim to restore families’ trust in the retrofit industry and give them confidence that work will be completed to a high standard. 

The changes mark the latest step to support families as government accelerates the drive for clean power to protect billpayers from the fossil fuel rollercoaster. 

By bringing forward the biggest investment in warm homes in British history – including making plug-in solar available in shops, giving homeowners living in properties heated by oil and LPG £9,000 off the cost of a heat pump, and taking decisive action on delinking electricity prices from international as prices – the government is driving forward with plans to upgrade as many homes as possible to cut bills.

Adam Scorer, CEO, National Energy Action, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

Strengthening consumer protections for home upgrades is an essential step toward homes that are more affordable to heat and that make people healthier. I welcome a reform agenda considered through the experiences of more vulnerable households with less market power and who stand to benefit most from government support.

Gillian Cooper, Director of Energy at Citizens Advice, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

We welcome the commitment to right-first-time installations and a simpler customer journey. Providing routes to impartial advice and redress where needed will give consumers confidence to adopt vital retrofit measures.

Charlotte Lee, CEO at Heat Pump Association UK, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

We welcome these proposals as a positive step towards strengthening consumer protection and building confidence in the transition to low-carbon heating. As the heat pump market continues to grow, it is essential that consumers can rely on high standards, clear accountability and effective support should issues arise. 

The proposed reforms have the potential to improve oversight, strengthen quality assurance and create a more joined-up approach to consumer protection across the sector.  

Better use of data and clearer delivery obligations should also help identify issues earlier and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain. Consumer trust is fundamental to the successful rollout of heat pumps, and these measures represent an important opportunity to improve customer outcomes while supporting the growth of a high-quality, resilient market.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

The retrofit market is a confusing landscape for both consumers and trades. The government’s proposals to improve consumer protection are a welcome step forward most notably the consideration to make more trades and related occupations subject to more government oversight. Greater oversight will offer the best protection to consumers and help drive out incompetent installers.

Lynne Sullivan, OBE, Chair of National Retrofit Hub and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said:  

The NRH welcomes the comprehensive analysis and scope of the proposed reforms as well as government’s willingness to play a pivotal role; clarity of responsibilities is key to improving customer experience of the retrofit journey, and should become the norm for the retrofit market.

Anthony Pygram, member of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, and Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel member, said: 

People who struggle to pay for their energy need to be confident that retrofit measures and their installers are trustworthy and, if things do go wrong, they will not lose out. This consultation is an important step in the right direction.

Ed Dodman, Chief Ombudsman for Energy Ombudsman, said: 

The measures announced today by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero represent a positive step forward in enhancing consumer protections and reinforcing high standards across the energy sector. In an essential market such as energy, it’s vital that the right steps continue to be taken to strengthen trust, accountability and outcomes for consumers. 

Strengthening the role of Energy Ombudsman and making the process faster will ensure consumers can not only have quicker access to redress but also have the confidence that issues will be resolved effectively. 

There is still work to be done, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with government, the regulator, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the system delivers fair, timely and accessible outcomes for all.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 June 2026.

Retailers join government plans to bring plug-in solar panels to UK homes, helping families save money on bills.

• B&Q and Currys join Government plans to bring plug-in solar to UK homes
• Rooftop solar panels are already saving families up to £480 a month
• Government launches consultation for industry views on ensuring consumer safety

More families are set to save money on bills as flagship retailers Currys, B&Q, Amazon and Lidl join Government plans to bring plug-in solar panels to UK homes. 

At a roundtable of some of the biggest retailers in the country, with a combined total of almost four thousand stores and significant online presence, Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey discussed the crucial role of plug-in solar in the clean energy revolution.

Those in attendance included Amazon, Asda, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix and Wickes, who discussed the technology and how it can offer a cheaper route for people to save money on bills.

This follows rule changes announced by the government earlier this year that will allow UK homeowners to self-install plug-in solar panels in the coming months and builds on savings of up to £480 consumers can already make from rooftop panels.

Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said:

Plug-in panels can be transformative for renters or those on lower incomes, so I welcome the conversation today with household names such as B&Q and Currys showing a huge amount of support for getting the panels in people’s homes.

This easy to install tech can cut people’s bills and help make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.

John Boumphrey, UK & Ireland Country Manager, Amazon said: 

This is a fantastic opportunity to make renewable energy more accessible to people around the UK. Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of carbon-free energy in the UK – we’ve invested in over 40 large scale solar and wind projects to date.

Enabling households to generate their own power with self-install plug-in solar panels is a practical step that supports household budgets and delivering against net zero goals.

Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, said:

We welcome the introduction of plug-in solar panels to the UK market, which will help households to generate their own energy and reduce their bills. This builds on our existing range of portable solar and battery solutions.

We are working closely with Government and suppliers to understand and help shape the guidance, ensuring any products we offer are safe, compliant and straightforward to install. We look forward to making plug-in solar available to our customers as soon as possible.

Georgina Hall, corporate affairs director at Lidl GB, said:

At Lidl GB, we want to make sustainable choices affordable and accessible to every household which is why we are supporting DESNZ’s latest steps toward modernising regulations for ‘plug-and-play’ technology.

By establishing a clear, robust framework to bring plug-in solar to market safely and efficiently, it could unlock a highly effective, low-cost route for people to reduce their energy bills. We welcome this consultation and look forward to working alongside the Government and industry partners to explore how these products can safely play their role in the UK’s clean energy revolution.

Michelle Gorringe-Smith, Director of New Categories at Currys, said: 

We’re delighted to be working with DESNZ to bring plug-in solar panels to the UK market. With energy bills continuing to rise, enabling the safe roll-out of these products will mark an important step for consumers across the UK – including the more than 80% of UK households that shop at Currys.

This technology, already widely used by households throughout Europe, is easy to install and could save many households significant amounts on their energy bills, while helping make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets.

The low-cost panels can be put on balconies or in any outdoor space, providing free solar power that can be used directly through a mains socket like any other device, without an installation cost, thereby reducing the amount of electricity taken from the grid.   

Alongside the roundtable, the government has today (16 June) launched a consultation seeking industry views on enforcing the rules so consumers can safely install plug-in panels in their homes.

Households across Britain are already embracing solar power in record numbers. 2025 saw a record 269,000 solar installations completed in the UK – the highest total ever recorded in a calendar year and 37 per cent larger than the year before.

Around 255,000 of these were rooftop solar – meaning at least 95 per cent of all new solar was installed on homes, businesses and other buildings. This equates to a new rooftop solar installation every two minutes throughout 2025.