Made under the Energy Act 2013
10 statutory instruments made using powers in the Energy Act 2013, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
Updated nuclear material reporting deadlines, extended record retention to 30 years, and revised facility design questionnaires to align UK safeguards with international obligations.
These Regulations amend existing nuclear safeguards and fee structures to update reporting requirements, terminology, and administrative timelines for operators of qualifying nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom.
They direct operators to provide more detailed design information, extended records retention, and adjusted notice periods for the import and export of nuclear material while authorizing the Office for Nuclear Regulation to recover costs for its expanded oversight activities.
These rules apply to all nuclear facility operators, carriers, and agents handling qualifying nuclear material across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
Increased Capacity Market termination fees and credit cover requirements while updating rules for insolvency-related payment withholding and supplier reconciliation schedules.
These Regulations amend the framework governing the UK Electricity Capacity Market to increase financial security requirements and update administrative procedures.
The instrument raises the rates for termination fees and applicant credit cover, introduces new protocols for withholding payments following insolvency events, and permits the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to alter the timetable for supplier charge reconciliation.
The measures apply to the Delivery Body (National Energy System Operator), the Settlement Body (Electricity Settlements Company), and all capacity providers and electricity suppliers participating in the Capacity Market in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The Contracts for Difference (Definition of Eligible Generator) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
Expanded the definition of eligible generators under the Contracts for Difference scheme to include operators of existing nuclear power stations.
These Regulations amend the Contracts for Difference (Definition of Eligible Generator) Regulations 2014 to include the continued operation of existing nuclear power stations within the definition of an eligible generating activity.
This change allows operators of current nuclear facilities to qualify as 'eligible generators' for the purposes of the Contracts for Difference scheme, a mechanism that provides price certainty for low-carbon electricity producers.
The instrument applies to persons intending to carry out electricity generation in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Contracts for Difference (Allocation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
Amended the 2014 Regulations to refine the qualification, appeal, and error-correction procedures for renewable energy electricity contract allocations.
These Regulations amend the Contracts for Difference (Allocation) Regulations 2014 to modify the administrative and legal processes governing how renewable energy projects qualify for financial support.
The instrument authorizes the delivery body to correct errors in qualification notices, expands the legal definition of applicants with pending appeals, and adjusts how the delivery body manages bids during ongoing litigation.
These changes apply to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the delivery body responsible for electricity contract allocations, and renewable energy developers applying for Contracts for Difference in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The Contracts for Difference (Sustainable Industry Rewards and Contract Budget Notice Amendments) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
The Regulations amended core CfD legislation to introduce flexible Sustainable Industry Reward budgets, adjust application window timelines, define processes for financial standard compliance, and update required contractual statements.
These Regulations, enacted in April 2026, significantly amend the Contracts for Difference (CfD) legislative framework—specifically the Allocation, General, and Standard Terms Regulations 2014—to introduce new flexibilities concerning Sustainable Industry Rewards (SIR).
Key changes involve allowing the Secretary of State to define specific budget allocations (minima, maxima, and flexible pools) for SIR applications, changing the time limits for certain allocation processes, defining what constitutes met or unmet pre-award financial minimum standards, and establishing procedures for updating sustainable industry reward statements after contract notifications.
The Electricity Supplier Payments (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013, Nuclear Energy (Financing) Act 2022
The regulations amended the existing rates for the operational costs levy under the CfD and Nuclear RAB schemes, and the settlement costs levy under capacity regulations, effective from April 2026 onwards.
The Electricity Supplier Payments (Amendment) Regulations 2026 amend three existing regulations establishing levies on electricity suppliers that fund government energy schemes: the 'operational costs levy' for Contracts for Difference (CfD) and Nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) schemes, and the 'settlement costs levy' under capacity market regulations.
These amendments specifically introduce new, varying rates for these levies, effective from April 1st, 2026, extending forward across several subsequent periods to ensure ongoing financial support for these crucial energy infrastructure projects.
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
Amendments were made to the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 to facilitate a managed termination process for capacity agreements related to CCS CFDs, and redundant provisions were revoked.
These regulations amend the 2014 Electricity Capacity Regulations to create a managed termination process for capacity agreements.
This allows capacity providers to switch to Contracts for Difference (CFDs) involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) without penalty, facilitating investment in CCS technology while safeguarding electricity supply.
The amendments also revoke redundant provisions in related legislation.
The Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2013
The 2025 regulations amended the 2014 Contracts for Difference (Allocation) and (Electricity Supplier Obligations) Regulations to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the allocation process for low-carbon electricity generation.
The Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2025 amend the 2014 Contracts for Difference (Allocation) and (Electricity Supplier Obligations) Regulations.
Key changes include introducing price, pot, and estimated budget notices for greater transparency; expanding auditing requirements to include estimated budgets; revising contract budget notice and revision timing; and amending allocation reporting to allow for anonymized bid data.
The changes aim to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the contracts-for-difference scheme for low-carbon electricity generation.