Tag: Energy Security and Net Zero Department

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 21 February 2025.

Ambitious reforms to the government’s flagship renewables scheme will pave way for more projects to come online for clean power 2030 – helping build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

Building on the success of last year’s AR6 round, which delivered a record-breaking 128 projects with 9.6 GW of capacity – enough to power around 11 million homes – the government is today (Friday 21 February) consulting on proposals to provide greater certainty to investors and a better deal for consumers, including:

• relaxing the eligibility criteria on planning consent for fixed-bottom offshore wind, helping to speed up new offshore wind farms coming
• changing how offshore wind budgets are set and published, enabling funding to be invested more efficiently
• increasing the Contracts for Difference contract term beyond the current 15 years, making renewables contracts more cost effective

The UK is already home to the 3 largest operational offshore wind farm projects in the world, but the UK must secure even more to deliver clean power by 2030. Today’s reforms set out plans to secure the additional offshore wind the UK needs at a good price, delivering value for money to UK bill-payers.

Electricity generated by renewables will be the backbone of the clean power system by 2030, and the Contracts for Difference scheme is vital to deploying enough renewables that will deliver the capacity targets set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. This will get the UK off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel markets while creating good jobs and driving economic growth.

The UK already has 30.7 GW of offshore wind either installed or committed, with a further 7.2 GW of capacity consented, against a target capacity range of 43 to 50 GW needed for clean power by 2030. These reforms will enable the UK to go further and faster to secure its position as a clean energy superpower.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Last year, we celebrated delivering the most successful auction round in history – now we want to go even further.

British families and businesses are bearing the cost of the reliance on petrostates and dictators who set the price of gas on the global market.

Our bold new reforms will give developers the certainty they need to build clean energy in the UK, supporting our mission to become a clean energy superpower and bring down bills for good.

Neil McDermott, Chief Executive Officer of LCCC, said:

The CfD scheme has been instrumental in delivering low-carbon electricity to date. As we move towards the government’s 2030 Clean Power target, the CfD will play an even more significant role, maintaining GB’s position as a global leader in renewable energy.

The proposed changes outlined in the consultation published today include the repowering of existing onshore wind sites, enable floating offshore wind to scale up through phased CfDs and increasing the CfD contract term beyond the current 15 years.

Maintaining investor confidence is crucial to delivering Clean Power by 2030 and LCCC remains committed to ensuring any changes are implemented smoothly, helping to unlock further private investment in the sector.

These proposals are the latest actions taken by the government to deliver clean power by 2030 and support growth. The government announced the launch of the Clean Industry Bonus, incentivising offshore wind developers to invest in cleaner supply chains and create jobs in industrial communities.

The consultation on reforms to the Contracts for Difference scheme is open for 4 weeks until 21 March, with a government response expected ahead of the AR7 round.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 20 February 2025.

Dan McGrail has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy, to help drive forward the government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission.

Great British Energy is owned by the British people, for the British people, and will own and invest in clean energy projects across the UK to create good, skilled jobs and growth.

Dan McGrail is currently the Chief Executive of RenewableUK, the trade association for businesses developing wind, wave, tidal, storage and green hydrogen projects in the UK, and their supply chain companies. He currently sits on the board for WindEurope and was also previously CEO of Siemens Engines and Managing Director of Siemens Power Generation.

He will draw on his wealth of experience in clean energy including wind and thermal power to provide strong leadership and help rapidly scale up the new company so it can start delivering as quickly as possible.

This follows the appointment in January of five new non-executive directors to join Chair Juergen Maier on the company’s start-up board, bringing a wide range of experience across different sectors, with knowledge on workplace rights, building UK supply chains and driving investment in clean energy.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

With the appointment of Dan McGrail as interim CEO we now have a fantastic team in place to lead Great British Energy and start delivering on our Plan for Change.

Great British Energy is at the heart of our clean power mission, and will support thousands of well-paid jobs, drive growth and investment into our communities and deliver energy security for the British people.

I look forward to working with Dan as we unlock the benefits of a new era of clean electricity for the British people.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:

Homegrown, affordable clean power has never been more important and it’s a privilege to take up the role of interim CEO of Great British Energy at such a pivotal moment.

Together with the talented leadership team, I’m excited to hit the ground running to scale up the company and work with industry to unleash billions of investment in clean energy, helping to grow new industries at scale with job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people, as well as helping the government achieve its clean power targets.

Start-up Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said:

Dan brings invaluable experience from a long career in clean energy and joins Great British Energy at a critical time to help spearhead our work to help make Britain energy independent.

I look forward to working with him to back innovation, create sustainable jobs, and grow our supply chains.

The Chair of RenewableUK’s Board of Directors Paul Cooley, Director of Offshore Wind at SSE Renewables, said:

I am delighted to support Dan in taking on the role of Interim CEO. He has the right combination of leadership skills and energy industry experience to take Great British Energy to its next stage of maturity and he has been an important driving force throughout his career in the sector. He has transformed RenewableUK into a leading voice in the industry and his appointment is a great vote of confidence in the work of the organisation. I am sure that he will establish a strategy at Great British Energy which enables our country to deliver on the amazing opportunities for economic growth and job creation which the clean power transition offers.

Dan will be based in Scotland, working from the Aberdeen headquarters, and will take up his post in March, on an initial 6-month contract, on secondment from RenewableUK. Recruitment for the permanent CEO will also begin shortly.

The government has already announced an unprecedented partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate to unlock investment in clean energy, confirmed Aberdeen will host Great British Energy’s headquarters, and struck a deal with the Scottish Government for the company to work with Scottish public bodies to support clean energy supply chains. The government is also legislating through the Great British Energy Bill to give the company the powers it needs to rapidly deliver.

Great British Energy will support the government’s mission for clean power by 2030, with an action plan published in December to get more homegrown clean power to people and provide the foundation for the UK to build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

Background

Dan McGrail took up his post as Chief Executive at RenewableUK in May 2021, and was previously CEO of Siemens Engines. He joined Siemens UK in 2004 and worked in a variety of roles across the energy industry, becoming CEO in 2017.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 13 February 2025.

Industrial heartlands and coastal areas will receive a major economic boost as the government backs renewable energy firms investing in industrial communities.

Industrial heartlands and coastal areas will receive a major economic boost as the government backs renewable energy firms investing in industrial communities – backing good jobs through the government’s Plan for Change.

The application window has opened for the Clean Industry Bonus, which provides financial support for offshore wind developers, on the condition they prioritise their investment in areas that need it most, including traditional oil and gas communities – supporting highly skilled jobs such as engineers, electricians or welders.

The support also rewards developers who build more sustainable low carbon factories, offshore wind blades, cables and ports to reduce industrial emissions across the clean energy supply chain.

By encouraging developers to use less polluting suppliers, the bonus will help tackle the climate crisis while also addressing supply chain blockages in renewable technologies driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – supporting industry on the transition to clean, secure, homegrown energy that Britain controls.

The UK produces more offshore wind than any other European country, making it the backbone for plans to deliver a clean power system by 2030 and become a clean energy superpower. This bonus will help accelerate the drive for clean power – incentivising developers to build the infrastructure the country needs to end reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets and help keep energy bills down for good.

Since July, the government has seen £34.8 billion of private investment into UK’s clean energy industries. In November, the government launched its carbon capture and storage industry supporting 4,000 jobs in the North West and Teesside. ScottishPower awarded a £1 billion turbine contract for its East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm to Siemens Gamesa, including blade production at its Hull blade factory – the company employ over 1,300 people in Humberside.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

We are backing our proud manufacturing, coastal and oil and gas communities with good jobs, skills and private sector investment – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, kickstarting growth, delivering energy security and transforming towns and cities as part of the transition – from the ports of Nigg and Leith to the manufacturing hubs of Blyth and Hull.

Steve Foxley, Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, said:

This news is an important signal from government to industry of intent to grow our offshore wind sector in a way that benefits both our climate and our economy, supporting expansive regional job creation and bolstering national energy security.

Alongside innovating to develop next-generation technologies, delivering the right levels of future deployment and fulfilling the ambitions of the Industrial Growth Plan for offshore wind, it will drive up confidence in our ability to secure the clean investments we need in the years to come.

Dan McGrail, CEO of RenewableUK, said:

The offshore wind industry already employs over 34,000 people in the UK, but there’s an opportunity to treble this number by the end of the decade if we grow the sector’s supply chain. Government initiatives like the Clean Industry Bonus, coupled with industry initiatives to support innovation and the upcoming Industrial Strategy, could drive hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment into new manufacturing.

Whilst we’re right to focus on securing investment in manufacturing new turbine foundations, blades and cables, we shouldn’t forget that there are also thousands of jobs in the construction and maintenance of wind farms too. You can go to places across the country like Grimsby and Great Yarmouth and Buckie on the Moray Firth and see boats full of engineers ensuring our wind farms operate at maximum efficiency.

Dhara Vyas, Energy UK, Chief Executive, said:

Offshore wind is set to become the backbone of a decarbonised power system. To build an industry that is resilient to supply chain challenges, we need a framework that supports sustainable deployment, while fostering investment in the UK’s industrial heartlands.

The Clean Industry Bonus will help to unlock economic growth, create job opportunities, and maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind.

Alongside the development of a broader industrial strategy, the Clean Industry Bonus will play an important role in strengthening the Contracts for Difference mechanism. Clarity will be critical in ensuring we can deliver Allocation Round 7, which is likely to be the single most important auction to achieving the Clean Power goal.

The UK is already home to the world’s first floating offshore wind farm and has the highest deployment of offshore wind in Europe. As a result, the UK’s offshore wind industry is supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country.

This latest boost for renewable developers comes after the government delivered the most successful renewables auction round in history last year, securing contracts for Europe’s largest and second largest offshore wind farm projects.

The bonus will come with an initial £27 million per gigawatt of offshore wind projects. That means if developers commit to 7-8 GW of offshore wind, up to £200 million of funding could be made available.

Funding will be allocated competitively with the results announced by the Energy Secretary in the summer.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 12 February 2025.

Energy Secretary travels to New Delhi to champion UK businesses, strengthen our partnership with India and accelerate work to tackle climate change.

The UK and India joined forces this week to unlock economic growth from the clean energy transition, supporting new jobs, creating export opportunities and tackling the climate crisis.

During a visit to New Delhi, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband backed British businesses at India Energy Week – a major international energy event. He met with UK companies who are using their expertise to speed up India’s transition from fossil fuels to clean power, including offshore wind, solar, battery storage and hydrogen.

He met a number of UK companies who are using the UK’s world leading technology to speed up the global clean energy transition, create job opportunities and protect the climate. These include:

• Sherwood Power – Sherwood Power has developed energy storage technology that converts excess, low-cost, renewable energy into compressed air and heat. When demand is high, this stored energy is released to generate electricity, reducing grid load and customer costs. The company is based in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
• Oomph EV – Oomph EV designs and manufacture a range of rapid, mobile, electric vehicle charging solutions. They are addressing the Indian market with a view to local manufacture. They offer hardware, software and data services to the global EV market and are based in Cambridge.
• Flock Energy – London based Flock Energy is building the digital infrastructure for the global energy transition. Using advanced AI, Flock Energy enables energy providers to analyse customer energy data usage in detail, all on one digital platform, to improve demand forecasting, demand-side management and energy efficiency.
• Venterra Group – Venterra Group, established in 2021, is a London based offshore wind services company. Venterra operates globally with over 700 employees and specialises in providing comprehensive technical services across the wind farm lifecycle to reduce project risks, time, and costs.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and one which is projected to be the fourth largest global importer by 2035. Delivering on the UK Government’s Plan for Change, the Energy Secretary used his visit to increase UK clean energy investment opportunities and place British businesses at the forefront of the global race for renewables.

As one of the world’s biggest emitters, working with India on clean energy and climate is crucial to protecting British families and businesses from the threat of climate change. Increasing investment in renewables and clean technology supports the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower, protecting households from unstable fossil fuel markets and helping keep bills down for good.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

We are standing up for the British people by fighting for investment into our country, and setting the example for all countries play their part in protecting our planet for future generations.

The UK and India are strengthening our partnership under our Plan for Change to unlock investment and accelerate the global transition to clean, secure, affordable energy.

Both our countries are determined to address the climate emergency to protect our way of life, while reaping the rewards of the industrial and economic opportunity of our time.

The  Energy Secretary took part in the fourth UK-India Energy Dialogue with India’s Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar, and met with G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

Both countries agreed:

• a new shared ambition on offshore wind, including a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce to drive the progress needed across the offshore wind supply chains and financing models
• funding to reform in India’s power sector to support decarbonisation through UKPACT, which aims to deliver grid transformation as part of India’s renewables rollout
• an extension of the bilateral Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme, which will work to deliver round-the-clock power supply, accelerate industrial decarbonisation and roll out renewables

This builds on the UK and India’s close collaboration to tackle climate change through innovation agreed as part of the Technology Security Initiative in 2024, from using AI to increase resilience, to bringing together experts to safeguard the critical minerals needed for renewable technologies like wind turbines and batteries.

Talks come ahead of expected negotiations with India on a Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty, led by the Business and Trade Secretary, at the end of the month.

Striking a deal would increase economic growth across both countries, facilitating the trade of renewable technologies and sustainable materials, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.

There are over 950 Indian-owned companies in the UK and over 650 UK companies in India supporting over 600,000 jobs and driving innovation across both economies.

Engagement with India comes ahead of COP30, due to take place in Brazil later this year, where both countries will be pushing for ambitious outcomes to address the climate emergency.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 7 February 2025.

Households across the country are set to benefit from cheaper bills and warmer homes as the government accelerates its Plan for Change.

Families have faced rocketing energy bills as a direct consequence of an overreliance on international gas markets, while at the same time thousands of tenants have been left exposed to cold, draughty homes, pushing bills up even higher.

The government is now calling time on this inheritance by consulting on bold new plans, which could save private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills, with all private landlords in England and Wales mandated to meet higher energy performance ratings in their properties by 2030.

While 48% of private rented homes in England are already Energy Performance Certificate C or above, ministers now want to ensure this good practice is extended to all properties in the sector, making sure landlords are not undercut, while protecting tenants.

As of 2030 all private landlords will be required to meet a higher standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent in their properties – up from the current level of EPC E.

This will deliver on the priorities of working people, in line with the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, by requiring landlords to invest in measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, ensuring homes are warmer and more affordable for tenants.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

For far too long we have seen too many tenants plagued by shoddy and poor conditions in their homes and this government is taking swift action to right the wrongs of the past.

Through our Plan for Change we are driving up housing standards, improving quality of life, and slashing energy bills for working people and families.

Today is just one of many steps we are taking to deliver on our promise to transform the lives of millions of renters across the country, so families can put down roots and raise their children in secure and healthy homes.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

For years tenants have been abandoned and forgotten as opportunities to deliver warm homes and lower energy bills have been disregarded and ignored.

As part of our Plan for Change, these new changes could save renters £240 a year by raising the efficiency of homes to cut the cost of bills.

These plans will also make sure that all private landlords are investing in their properties, building on the good work of many to upgrade their homes to Energy Performance Certificate C or higher already.

The government is now seeking views from tenants and landlords on the proposals to boost living standards in the private rented sector and cut the cost of energy bills, which include:

• offering landlords a choice over how to meet energy efficiency standards. This will require them to meet a fabric standard through installing measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or double glazing, before moving on to a range of other options including batteries, solar panels and smart meters
• a maximum cap of £15,000 per property for landlords, with support currently available from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and Warm Homes: Local Grant which begins delivery this year
• an affordability exemption, which would lower the cost cap to £10,000 and could be applied based on lower rents or council tax band
• requiring all landlords to meet the new standard by 2030 at the latest, providing an extra 2 years compared with previous proposals. Homes that are already rated A-C before the introduction of new Energy Performance Certificates would be considered compliant until they expire

The government is also consulting on a revised fuel poverty strategy, which will focus on improving the energy performance of homes, supporting low-income households with energy affordability and protecting them from high prices.

Today’s steps mark further progress to deliver the government’s Plan for Change, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain.

This follows planned reforms to empower Ofgem, the energy regulator, to become a strong consumer champion, upgrading up to 300,000 homes through the Warm Homes Plan this financial year, and driving a new era of clean energy through the Clean Power Action Plan.

Stakeholder reaction

Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, said:

Private rented sector tenants have far greater risk of being in fuel poverty particularly in low-cost older homes. The lack of investment by some landlords to end the scandal of cold homes has gone on for too long.

In the last 5 years the efforts to reduce fuel poverty flatlined. I welcome the focus on improving standards in the private rented sector and the opportunity to reset and re-energise England’s Fuel Poverty Strategy.

Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action said:

Alleviating fuel poverty means ensuring everyone can afford to keep their homes warm and healthy. It is about addressing high energy bills and inefficient homes, but it also contributes to other government missions, supporting efforts to reach net zero, preventing ill-health and tackling child poverty. A more vigorous, ambitious approach is very welcome to get back on track to lift millions out of the daily despair of a cold home and unaffordable bills.

Millions of households are struggling to pay their bills. A disproportionate number of these live in privately rented properties. Working towards stronger energy efficiency standards for landlords is the level of ambition needed to meet legal fuel poverty commitments. The private rented sector includes some of the worst quality housing, lived in by some of the most vulnerable people. We hope that these steps signal an end to fuel poor renters enduring in cold, leaky homes.

The UK government must now seize the opportunity that this new strategy and regulations bring, fortifying them with new spending to improve the homes of fuel poor households.

Charles Wood, Deputy Director at Energy UK, said:

This announcement marks a welcome recommitment from the government to improving energy efficiency standards in rented properties by strengthening Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements. The most affordable energy is the energy we don’t use – yet too many households still lose money and warmth due to inefficient homes. With some of the least energy-efficient housing in Western Europe, there are serious financial and health consequences, particularly for renters who have little control over improving their homes.

With energy bills remaining high, it’s vital that the government prioritises measures that bring real savings to households and give clarity to the market to ramp up supply chains and training. Boosting energy efficiency is the most effective way to lower energy bills and system costs, and to create warmer, healthier homes for everyone.

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive at Generation Rent, said:

One in four private renters live in fuel poverty, the highest rate of any tenure. If we can’t afford to heat our homes properly that makes us vulnerable to ill-health and other problems in the home like damp and mould. Therefore, we encourage renters across the country to respond to this consultation to make sure the benefits of the Warm Homes plan are felt by tenants.

Madeleine Gabriel, director of sustainable future at Nesta, said:

Private renters too often face steep energy bills without a clear way to make their home more energy efficient. Private rented properties have worse energy efficiency ratings than both owner-occupied and social rented homes, while private renters are less confident taking energy efficiency measures like turning down boiler flow temperature than homeowners. The government is right to set a clear target for improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector and provide landlords with flexibility to achieve this.

Stew Horne, Head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, said;

With energy bills still high, it’s great to see the publication of the much anticipated consultation to get England closer to making the homes of private renters warmer and more affordable to heat.

With almost a fifth of homes across England being privately rented and around a quarter of these households living in fuel poverty, improving the energy efficiency of these properties is key to supporting a fair transition to a low carbon society. It will also be important to facilitate the changes landlords can make to upgrade private rented homes, including providing access to attractive green finance options.

We look forward to helping to shape the Warm Homes Plan so it encourages the retrofit of the private rented sector, creating more comfortable homes and lowering bills for renters.

Notes to editors

The average cost to landlords of complying with the proposals to upgrade their properties is estimated to be between £6,100 and £6,800 by 2030.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 5 February 2025.

Government relaunches an expanded Net Zero Council, bringing together business, civil society and local authorities to drive the clean energy transition as part of the Plan for Growth.

Leaders from major businesses, civil society and local authorities have backed the government’s pro-growth and clean energy superpower missions following a meeting of the relaunched Net Zero Council (5 February), with a plan to help sectors accelerate to net zero and support thousands of jobs.

Co-chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Co-operative Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq, the Council brings together leaders from some of the UK’s biggest businesses, charities and organisations, as well as trade unions and local authorities.

New members include representatives from the Trades Union Congress and Design Council, bringing expertise of green skills and jobs creation to the council to support the government’s mission for clean energy growth on the path to net zero.

This broader coalition strengthens the Council’s ability to unlock the opportunities of decarbonisation, with major industry players such as Siemens, Nestle and HSBC returning to the Council alongside new members including the Local Government Association and Aviva Investors to seize the growth opportunities of decarbonising the economy.

The first meeting focused on agreeing the Council’s priorities for 2025 to 2026, which will include:

• a new focus on providing expert input to inform government strategies relating to net zero
• supporting the development and delivery of sector roadmaps, helping businesses to develop transition plans and investors to identify opportunities
• supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to decarbonise while maximising the benefits of the transition
• informing the government’s approach to public engagement and developing products to support public participation with net zero

A new Delivery Group will oversee the Council’s workstreams and help to drive progress.

The relaunch reflects a new mission-led approach, ensuring government actively engages with a broad range of industry leaders and stakeholders to drive progress towards net zero. This will support the Plan for Change to help deliver new jobs and economic opportunities while ensuring a fair transition.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Businesses and leaders across our country recognise that clean power and accelerating towards net zero represents the economic opportunity of the 21st century.

It is one which will protect bills, create jobs, and tackle the climate crisis. This Council is about mission-driven leadership, bringing government, business and civil society together to turn ambition into action.

By working in partnership, we can drive the investment, innovation and industrial transformation needed to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

The relaunch of the Net Zero Council comes at a critical moment in the UK’s journey towards a clean energy future.

Bringing together leaders from across business, finance and civil society, the Council will play a crucial role in accelerating net zero ambitions, driving economic growth and creating thousands of jobs.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of The Co-operative Group, said:

Working urgently for a faster, fairer transition to a greener, cleaner economy is an absolute imperative. For the sake of our planet and for every community here in the UK and around the globe, it’s crucial we work together to unlock the significant opportunities the transition will bring for economic growth too.

I’m therefore delighted to be continuing in my role as Co-chair of the Net Zero Council. The science couldn’t be clearer that we must act collectively and decisively, and co-operation between businesses, civic society and government is what we need now more than ever.

While the Council itself is made up of senior leaders from key sectors, it is committed to an inclusive engagement strategy, ensuring a broad range of voices contribute to net zero delivery beyond formal members. This approach will ensure that businesses, communities and experts across the UK have opportunities to inform strategy, share best practices and help shape the transition.

Statements from Net Zero Council and Delivery Group members

Bev Cornaby, Director of the UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG UK), said:

The relaunch of the Net Zero Council marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between government, business, civil society, and local government to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero. Businesses are ready to lead, invest, and innovate, but they need the right policy framework and long-term clarity to unlock the full potential of a clean, competitive economy. The UK Corporate Leaders Group welcomes the opportunity to bring business leadership and ambition to the Council, supporting accelerated delivery and ensuring that government strategies are informed by real-world insights and that industry can play a central role in delivering a net zero future.

David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Redrow, said:

I’m pleased to join the Net Zero Council at a critical time for the environment and as we scale up to build the new high quality, energy efficient homes the UK desperately needs.

Government has set out its clear ambition to shift to clean energy, meanwhile the homebuilding industry is making good progress towards delivering net zero homes and places – but we must unite behind one plan and work together to build a sustainable future.

Minnie Moll, Chief Executive of the Design Council, said:

I am honoured to join the Net Zero Council to contribute to this crucial national mission and represent the voice of design as a transformative tool for innovation. Design has the power to cut across sectors, fuelling innovative thinking, embracing circular approaches, and turning the challenges of climate change into opportunities for economic growth, improved quality of life, and a cleaner, more sustainable future for all. We are excited to bring our expertise to this ambitious mission and support the UK’s leadership in becoming a clean energy superpower.

John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK said:

I am delighted to bring SUEZ’s expertise in the circular economy to the Net Zero Council. Often unseen, the work of the waste and resources sector sits at the core of the delivery of the Industrial Strategy – at the same time as we are taking steps to decarbonise our own operations, the sector is helping other sectors to decarbonise by providing secondary resources for manufacturing, and energy and fuels for transport, homes and industry. A resource efficient economy is a thriving economy and I’m looking forward to working in partnership with industry peers to advance the government’s mission to become a Clean Energy Superpower.

Ian Simm, Founder and Chief Executive, Impax Asset Management said:

It’s very encouraging to see the Net Zero Council relaunched and I welcome the decision to expand its membership to include representatives from civil society and local government. The Council has a vital role to play at a moment when pivotal decisions are being made that will decide the future shape of the UK economy, not least on housing, infrastructure, and energy supply. I look forward to providing an investor’s view regarding how the Council can maximise its impact and effectiveness, both in helping to shape the shift to a net-zero economy and in supporting the government’s broader and much needed growth agenda.

Joanna Killian, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association said:

I’m delighted to be representing local government on the Net Zero Council.

Partnerships between central and local government, businesses, the financial industry and communities are essential to delivering green energy.

Local government can influence over 80% of an area’s emissions, and as a sector want to play our full role in achieving objectives to accelerate to net zero.

As local leaders, councils are uniquely able to lead local climate action while taking the incredible opportunity for local jobs and growth, and to improve the health and quality of life of our communities.

Jennifer Beckwith, Senior Manager, CBI, said:

Accelerating to net zero and achieving growth is society’s defining economic challenge – one that can only be achieved through industry and government partnership. Inaction on the transition is costlier than action and business wants to play its part in achieving sustainable growth.

Increasing decarbonisation beyond the power sector is the big opportunity to grow clean energy markets, scale infrastructure and advance green technologies. The government leading collaboration across business and finance sectors powerfully signals to investors a focus on delivery that can help get capital moving.

Ed Lockhart, Convenor, Broadway Initiative, said:

UK businesses need certainty, including on the transition to a clean energy future, to invest, grow and ultimately improve living standards.

By launching the Net Zero Council aligned to the clean energy mission, the government is providing a much-needed platform for the business community, financial institutions, civil society and government to work in partnership on a shared and inclusive long-term plan.

The Broadway Initiative looks forward to bringing business and environmental organisations together to make the most of this opportunity.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 29 January 2025.

New measures will unlock up to £30 billion investment in homegrown clean power as permissions for new offshore wind projects are streamlined.

Up to thirteen major offshore wind projects have today (Wednesday 29th January) been unlocked as the Government announced measures to accelerate the construction of offshore infrastructure.

Inheriting outdated and archaic infrastructure restrictions that slowed and jammed the building of offshore clean energy projects, Ministers are streamlining the consenting process to accelerate their construction. As set out in the Chancellor’s growth speech, this will hasten the delivery of vital infrastructure projects and unlock growth as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, while protecting nature and the environment.

Together, the unlocked projects will generate up to 16GWs of electricity – almost equivalent to the electricity generated by all of the country’s gas power plants last year – and create thousands of good jobs in the offshore wind sector, potentially spurring £20-30bn of investment in homegrown clean power.

These changes will allow the Government to designate new Marine Protected Areas or extend existing Marine Protected Areas to compensate for impacts to the seabed caused by offshore wind development. This will prevent delays that have previously resulted from insufficient environmental compensation being agreed, while protecting the marine environment and contributing to our commitment to protect 30% of our seas for nature by 2030.

Marine Minister Emma Hardy said:

Under the Government’s Plan for Change, we are committed to boosting growth and making Britain a clean energy superpower while defending our important marine habitats.

These changes show we can make significant progress in expanding homegrown British clean power in a way that protects vulnerable sea life.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

Offshore wind will be the backbone of delivering clean power by 2030 as we enter a new era of clean electricity.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, today’s announcement will help unlock crucial offshore wind projects that will boost our energy security, protect billpayers from volatile fossil fuel markets, and help make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Any new designations of Marine Protected Areas will follow the existing process required under legislation, and will include consulting other affected industries and communities.

The new or extended Marine Protected Areas will protect a range of marine habitats, with the cost of their designation and management funded by offshore wind developers through the Marine Recovery Fund.

This follows the announcement that the Government’s forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill will unlock much-needed infrastructure projects whilst supporting nature recovery, and targeted changes to the management of underwater noise will fast-track the UK to deliver a clean power system by 2030.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 29 January 2025.

Climate Minister forges stronger UK-EU cooperation to drive growth and energy security.

Cooperation on the North Seas was at the top of the agenda for Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy’s first visit to Brussels yesterday (Tuesday 28 January).

During the visit, Minister McCarthy delivered a keynote speech to European leaders at the European Energy Forum, where she said that by working together the UK and the EU can turn the North Seas into the green power plant of Europe and unlock thousands of well-paid, skilled British jobs.

This comes as independent consultants Grant Thornton publish a report commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which finds that closer cooperation on the clean energy transition in the North Seas could lower bills, create up to 51,000 jobs, and add up to £36 billion to the UK economy.

Minister McCarthy also made the case to EU counterparts that the energy transition in the North Seas will ensure the oil and gas workforce are the ones who deliver the North Sea’s decarbonised future, through offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.

Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

The EU is a crucial ally in bolstering our energy security and protecting families and businesses across Europe from volatile fossil fuel markets.

There is so much more we can do to speed up the clean energy transition, deliver our Plan for Change and make the North Seas the green power plant of Europe.

Through greater cooperation, we can build on our Mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030 helping keep bills down and kickstarting economic growth.

Tsvetelina Penkova President of the European Energy Forum and Member of the European Parliament said:

We simply have to build a robust cooperation between the EU and the UK on energy matters. It is crucial for addressing our shared challenges and ensuring energy security.

Key areas such as energy grids, connectivity and nuclear power require close collaboration to strengthen infrastructure, drive innovation, and support the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. By working together, we can create a more resilient and interconnected energy network that benefits both parties and contributes to a secure and sustainable energy future.

Minister McCarthy has met with a series of international partners including Belgian Energy Minister, Tinne van der Straeten and the European Union’s Principal Adviser on Energy Diplomacy, Tibor Stelaczky.

The visit comes as the UK continues work to reset its relationship with Europe, an ambition grounded in a new spirit of co-operation intended to strengthen ties, tackle barriers to trade and collaborate in the face of shared global challenges from climate change to illegal migration.

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 January 2025.

Government announces £410 million investment to accelerate development of fusion energy and kickstart economic growth as part of its Plan for Change.

A future powered by limitless clean energy is a step closer to reality, as researchers developing cutting-edge fusion energy receive a record £410 million investment, helping to kickstart economic growth as part of government’s Plan for Change.

The funding will support the rapid development of the UK fusion energy sector over 2025 to 2026 with investment in the skills needed for scientists, engineers, welders and programme managers to enter the cutting-edge industry. Fusion already supports thousands of jobs in the UK, with thousands more to follow as the technology advances.

Industry leaders have been shortlisted by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) to help construct a world-leading fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire, unlocking a new clean energy industry for the UK.

Five construction and engineering bids have progressed to the next round of the UKIFS competition to deliver the prototype fusion energy plant by 2040, driving progress towards the commercialisation of fusion in the UK to supply families and businesses with secure, clean and unlimited energy.

The prototype fusion energy plant is set at the site of a former coal power plant in Nottinghamshire, and will revitalise a UK industrial heartland, supporting new, skilled jobs in former coal communities.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

After scientists first theorised over 70 years ago that it could be possible, we are now within grasping distance of unlocking the power of the sun and providing families with secure, clean, unlimited energy.

Britain is at the forefront of this global race to deliver fusion, and today’s record level of funding will provide investment and economic growth through our Plan for Change, delivering on net zero and creating the clean energy of the future.

Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

Last year Nottinghamshire marked the end of coal in our country after 142 years and today it starts the process to create the energy of the future.

We are taking a step forward in the global race to commercialise fusion, growing our economy, attracting investment and harnessing the power of the sun to create clean limitless secure energy.

This is what our clean energy transition is about – creating jobs in our local communities and building the skills that we need on the path to net zero.

Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) CEO, said:

I am delighted by the strong support from government to delivering fusion as a safe, sustainable energy of the future, and to anchor this exciting new industry in the UK.

Mayor for the East Midlands Claire Ward said:

This is fantastic news for Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, a region that’s ready and willing to lead the way in clean, green energy.

I am delighted the government is committed to this investment in the East Midlands and look forward to working together to kickstart a green industrial revolutions, creating skilled jobs in our former coal mining communities.

Fusion uses the same process that powers the sun by combining 2 forms of hydrogen and heating them at extreme temperatures, releasing vast amounts of energy. The UK is at the forefront of the global race to commercialise fusion and unlock its potential.

Earlier this week the government also proposed plans for the UK’s first AI Growth Zone to be at the UKAEA’s fusion energy campus at Culham, Oxfordshire, which will utilise the advancements of AI to leverage computing power for fusion research and benefit the UK’s wider national AI infrastructure and the local area.

The multi-stage procurement process to deliver a fusion plant, known as STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), is led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group.

The shortlisted companies will undertake detailed discussions with UKIFS, with one successful engineering and one successful construction partner set to be awarded contracts, worth an initial combined value of hundreds of millions of pounds, in late 2025 / early 2026.

Notes to editors

The £410 million investment of R&D funding will fund the UK fusion programme in 2025 to 2026.  This includes:

• STEP (a world leading prototype powerplant)
• Fusion Futures (a suite of measures aimed at building fusion capability, including skills development and LIBRTI, a new fusion fuel R&D facility)
• repurposing JET (the old fusion machine at Culham)
• supporting the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s existing research, innovation and facilities

This follows the announcement at Autumn Budget 2024 of “significant support in 2025-26 for UK fusion energy research”.

The following construction partners have been chosen by the UKIFS for the next stage of the procurement process, bidding to help build STEP.

• Inovus Infrastructure, consisting of Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering as the lead member and Vinci Construction, AtkinsRealis, Mott Macdonald and WSP as other members
• ILIOS, consisting of Kier Infrastructure and Overseas as the lead member and Bam Nuttal, Nuvia Limited, AECOM Ltd, Turner and Townsend Infrastructure Ltd and Amanda Levete Architects Ltd as other members
• Ferrovial Mace JV, consisting of Ferrovial Construction UK Ltd as the lead member and Mace Consult Ltd as the other member

The following engineering partners have been chosen for the next stage of the process.

• Celestial JV, consisting of Eni UK Limited as the lead member and AtkinsRealis, Jacobs Clean Energy (now Amentum), Westinghouse and Tokamak Energy as other members
• Phoenix (UK) Fusion Limited, consisting of Cavendish Nuclear Ltd as the lead member, KBR Ltd and Assystem Energy and Infrastructure Ltd as other members

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 January 2025.

25 businesses adopting emissions-cutting projects supported with £51.9 million as part of Plan for Change to drive economic growth and rebuild Britain.

From beer brewing to baked beans, dairy farms and cement, 25 businesses across the country have received nearly £52 million to reduce their carbon emissions to boost the UK’s mission as part of the Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower and accelerate to net zero, supporting jobs and economic growth.

With industry paying for around two thirds of the project costs to cut emissions, this funding will help businesses of all sizes expand and innovate, including supporting new jobs through construction and operations – helping to cut their energy bills and boost local growth across the country.

Thanks to support from the government, Nestlé’s coffee processing site in Staffordshire, Heinz’s baked bean factory in Wigan, and a specialist craft beer company in Cornwall are among those benefitting from grants, supporting millions of pounds of investment made by winning companies, with many being small and mid-size businesses, to deliver emissions-cutting technology such as heat pumps and carbon capture – with projects worth £154 million in total.

This delivers the government’s Plan for Change to make Britain a clean energy superpower, driving economic growth and rebuilding Britain. The upcoming Industrial Strategy will also give investors and industry confidence to plan for the next decade and beyond, with clean energy industries a key sector identified to reignite the UK’s industrial heartlands and grow the economy.

Heinz, which received over £2.5 million and invested nearly £5 million of their own funding in the project, will use the funding to switch its dependence on fossil fuels to heat water, needed to blanch beans and boil spaghetti hoops, by installing heat pumps that reuse waste heat from other processes in the factory – improving energy efficiency to cut emissions and bills for the business, allowing them to invest more in other areas.

Hanson Cement in North Wales will use its £5.6 million grant to support its multi-million-pound carbon capture and storage project – creating hundreds of jobs during construction and capturing 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year once operational – the equivalent of taking 320,000 cars off the road.

As well as support for individual businesses, setting them up for a more sustainable future as well as cutting energy costs and streamlining production, the government recently confirmed that contracts have been signed for the UK’s first carbon capture project in Teesside, marking the latest milestone in the government’s mission to reignite its industrial heartlands, tackle the climate crisis and turbocharge growth for decades to come.

Minister for Industry Sarah Jones said:

Helping businesses of all sizes to reduce their emissions is core to our Plan for Change to achieve net zero while growing the economy.

These companies represent some of the best of business innovation – using new technologies to improve how we do things, become more sustainable, and continue to make the British products we love – from baked beans to beer.

Other winners include Paul’s Malt and Verdant Brewing company, 2 businesses leading the way in decarbonising beer production, as well as Warrington-based Novelis who received nearly £14 million to expand its recycling capacity – part of a £63 million project that will reduce the company’s carbon emissions by over 350,000 tonnes.

The government also continues to invest in renewable energy projects, with a record number of projects secured earlier this year, to ensure homes and businesses benefit from clean, homegrown electricity – protecting them from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets.

Saji Jacob, Head of West Europe Supply Chain, Heinz, said:

The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund has enabled this energy efficiency project to become a reality at our largest food manufacturing plant in Europe.

It represents a critical step in our decarbonisation journey towards Net Zero. The UK business recognises the significance of the investment and is committed to further utilising this technology across our company.

Simon Willis, CEO Hanson UK, said:

I would like to thank government and all those that supported us in our bid to receive funding, which will enable us to help decarbonise the construction industry and meet our overall ambition to become a net zero business.

This global exemplar project will provide net zero construction materials for major projects across the country, from new offshore wind farms and nuclear power stations, to clean transport infrastructure, as early as 2028.

Notes to editors

The funding awarded is part of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF), a government fund that supports the development and deployment of technologies that enable businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future.