Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Legislation
81 statutory instruments made by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The Green Gas Support Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2008, Government of Wales Act 2006
Extended the Green Gas Support Scheme commissioning deadlines and aligned reporting periods with the standard scheme year.
These Regulations amend the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) to extend the deadline for commissioning biomethane production equipment and modify the duration of financial support.
They authorize the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to extend tariff guarantee deadlines to 31 March 2030 for eligible applicants and clarify rules regarding heat pump exemptions and sustainability audit reporting.
The instrument applies to producers of biomethane via anaerobic digestion in England, Wales, and Scotland, transitioning the scheme's administrative and reconciliation cycles from 'payment years' to 'scheme years' starting in April 2027.
The Springwell Solar Farm (Correction) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
Corrected technical errors and cross-references in the Springwell Solar Farm Order 2026.
This Order corrects typographical and cross-referencing errors in the Springwell Solar Farm Order 2026, which granted development consent for the project under the Planning Act 2008.
It updates specific definitions, such as substituting 'PV modules' for 'panels', corrects internal paragraph numbering across several schedules, and amends the heading for protective provisions to specifically name British Telecommunications PLC. The corrections apply to the original developer, the relevant local planning authorities, and statutory undertakers involved in the solar farm infrastructure.
The Response to the Committee on Climate Change Report (Extension of Period) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Climate Change Act 2008
Extended the statutory deadline for the UK government to respond to the Climate Change Committee's 2026 report to 17 December 2026.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero must lay a response to the Climate Change Committee's 2026 progress report before Parliament by a revised deadline of 17 December 2026.
This extension modifies the original statutory deadline of 15 October 2026 established under the Climate Change Act 2008.
The provision applies across the United Kingdom and directly affects the reporting obligations of the relevant government department.
The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Prices Act 2022
- Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Extended the sunset date for the government's energy cost support powers by six months to 25 April 2027.
These Regulations extend the period during which the Secretary of State may exercise powers under section 13 of the Energy Prices Act 2022 to provide financial support for energy costs.
By moving the expiration date from 25 October 2026 to 25 April 2027, the instrument allows the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to continue funding a portion of the Renewables Obligation costs normally passed to consumers.
This authority applies to the Secretary of State and affects domestic electricity suppliers who receive grant funding to lower household energy bills.
The Warm Home Discount (Reconciliation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2010
- Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Updated the Warm Home Discount reconciliation methodology to calculate supplier market shares based on energy unit volumes instead of customer numbers.
These Regulations amend the reconciliation framework for the Warm Home Discount scheme to align cost redistribution with energy unit-rate recovery.
The instrument directs the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to calculate suppliers' market shares based on gas and electricity unit volumes delivered to domestic customers rather than the previous method based on customer numbers.
These changes apply to licensed electricity and gas suppliers in Great Britain for scheme years 16 through 20, starting in September 2026.
The Net Zero Teesside (Amendment) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
Increased the permitted inner diameters for the heat recovery steam generator and absorber stacks at the Teesside infrastructure site.
This Order modifies the design parameters for the Net Zero Teesside carbon capture and power project by increasing the permitted inner diameters of two specific stacks.
It directs that the inner diameter for the heat recovery steam generator stack be increased from 6.5 meters to 9.0 meters and the absorber stack be increased from 6.6 meters to 7.0 meters.
The order applies to the developers and operators authorized under the original 2024 development consent order, administered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Energy Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5, Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2023
Commenced new offshore abandonment charging provisions and established transitional protections for pending fee determinations.
These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Energy Act 2023 that reform how the UK government charges for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines.
The order repeals existing fee-setting powers in the Petroleum Act 1998 and brings into effect new expenditure recovery mechanisms, while maintaining the older fee structure for projects that are already underway or have submitted formal requests by 30 September 2026.
These rules apply to offshore installation operators and owners of submarine pipelines, excluding those dedicated to carbon capture and storage.
The Offshore (Oil and Gas) Installation and Pipeline Abandonment Charges (Revocation) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Petroleum Act 1998
Replaced fixed decommissioning fees with a system of hourly charges and cost recovery for government work on offshore oil and gas abandonment programmes.
These regulations establish a new charging regime for the decommissioning and abandonment of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines in the United Kingdom.
They authorize the Secretary of State to recover costs from persons who have been served with a 'section 29 notice' by applying hourly rates for administrative, decommissioning, and environmental specialist staff, plus additional expenses for commissioned work.
The regulations apply to all holders of abandonment notices for offshore installations and submarine pipelines, excluding carbon dioxide pipelines, and clarify that all such holders are jointly and severally liable for the accrued charges.