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 Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) (Specified Period) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Gas Act 1986, Electricity Act 1989, Utilities Act 2000
The instrument extended the specified period and critical procedural deadlines for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme by nine months, concluding the main obligation period on December 31st, 2026.
This Statutory Instrument, made on March 25th, 2026, amends the preceding Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2022 by extending the overall period of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme by nine months, shifting the end date for the home-heating cost reduction target from March 31st, 2026, to December 31st, 2026.
The Order also adjusts several associated deadlines for remaining procedural steps, applications, and measure approvals under the ECO scheme across England, Wales, and Scotland, ensuring consistency with the newly defined final date.
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 Utilities Act 2000 (Amendment of Section 105) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Utilities Act 2000
The Order amended Section 105(3) of the Utilities Act 2000 to insert exemptions allowing information disclosure for facilitating functions under the Energy Prices Act 2022 and complying with directions issued under that Act.
This Statutory Instrument, the Utilities Act 2000 (Amendment of Section 105) Order 2026, amends Section 105 of the Utilities Act 2000, which generally restricts the disclosure of certain information.
The Order inserts new provisions creating specific exemptions from this restriction to facilitate the performance of functions under sections 13 and 19 of the Energy Prices Act 2022, and to allow compliance with directions issued under section 22 of that same Act, thereby enabling smoother execution of specific energy policy measures.
The Stonestreet Green Solar (Correction) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
A Statutory Instrument formally corrected specific typographical and administrative errors within The Stonestreet Green Solar Order 2025 following a statutory request.
The Stonestreet Green Solar (Correction) Order 2026 is a Statutory Instrument made by the Secretary of State to rectify specific, correctable errors in The Stonestreet Green Solar Order 2025, which originally granted development consent for the solar project under the Planning Act 2008.
This Order formally applies numerous minor textual substitutions, insertions, and omissions listed in a schedule to ensure the underlying development consent documentation is accurate and legally sound.
The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Energy Act 2016, Energy Act 2023
The regulations specified the mandatory disclosure periods for protected carbon storage and offshore petroleum information and samples obtained by the OGA, and amended a related 2018 disclosure regulation.
The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2025 specify the regulatory windows following data collection during which the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) or subsequent holders can disclose protected material, including information and samples, related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore petroleum activities.
These regulations establish different disclosure timelines based on the sensitivity and nature of the material—some information can be published immediately, while detailed technical data, well information, injection/production records, and physical samples are subject to defined confidentiality periods, often contingent on reporting deadlines, system closures, or licence determination events.
Furthermore, the instrument amends a 2018 regulation concerning offshore petroleum data to align its disclosure deadline with the "reporting deadline" specified by the OGA.
The Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
The Secretary of State made an Order granting development consent for the Helios Renewable Energy Project after examination by the Examining Authority and consideration of all relevant environmental and policy matters.
The Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025 grants development consent under the Planning Act 2008 for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a solar generating station and battery energy storage system in the North Yorkshire Council area, defining the scope of the authorised development, granting the undertaker powers for compulsory acquisition of land or rights, and establishing detailed preliminary provisions, street works, and specific protective requirements for various statutory undertakers including electricity, gas, water, drainage, and railway interests.
The Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
The Secretary of State approved a non-material change application, resulting in this Order which amended the 2022 DCO via defining Defra, specifying the undertaker, and altering the HHW SAC compensation requirements to include an option for Marine Recovery Fund payments.
This Order enacts non-material changes to the Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022, effective from December 19th, 2025, following an application for amendment.
Key revisions include adding a definition for 'Defra,' clarifying the named 'undertaker' as Norfolk Vanguard West Limited, and significantly modifying Part 3 of Schedule 17, which relates to compensation for impacts on the Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Area of Conservation (HHW SAC) by introducing the Marine Recovery Fund Payment as an alternative management measure to specific marine debris removal tasks.
The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
The Secretary of State made non-material changes to the Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Order 2021, introducing Defra, updating the undertaker, correcting coordinates, and modifying environmental compensation obligations via provisions for the Marine Recovery Fund.
The Secretary of State has issued The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025, which makes non-material changes to the original 2021 Development Consent Order for the Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm.
This Order, effective December 19th, 2025, officially incorporates a definition for Defra, updates the definition of the undertaker, corrects several precise geographical coordinates defining the authorized development, and significantly amends compensation provisions related to the Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Area of Conservation (HHW SAC) by introducing the Marine Recovery Fund as a potential alternative to direct marine debris removal.