Energy Legislation
Legislative framework for energy production, distribution, renewable sources, nuclear power, and energy efficiency standards.
The Energy Act 2023 (Commencement No. 5, Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026
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
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.
The Nuclear Safeguards (EU Exit and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
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 Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Authorized the use of standard plugs for plug-in solar microgenerators up to 800 watts and mandated compliance with a new interim product specification.
These Regulations permit the use of standard plugs for plug-in solar microgenerators with a maximum output of 800 watts, provided they meet specific safety criteria.
They authorize notified bodies to approve plugs that do not fully conform to British Standard BS 1363 solely because they facilitate electricity generation.
The instrument applies to manufacturers of plug-in solar devices, notified bodies responsible for safety certification, and consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (though grid-related amendments apply only to Great Britain).
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026
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
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 Climate Change Agreements (Administration, Energy-intensive Installations and Eligible Facilities) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026
Revised the eligibility criteria and sectors for Climate Change Levy discounts and updated the buy-out fee calculation formula.
These regulations update the administrative framework and eligibility criteria for the Climate Change Levy (CCL) reduction scheme, effective from 1 January 2027.
The instrument defines which energy-intensive installations and processes, ranging from chemical manufacturing to data centers and battery production, qualify for climate change agreements.
It directs the Treasury and the Secretary of State to oversee a revised list of eligible facilities while amending the formula used to calculate buy-out fees for participants who fail to meet energy efficiency or emissions targets.
Established the administrative rules and publication requirements for the Civil Nuclear Police Authority's barred and advisory lists regarding dismissed personnel.
These regulations require the Civil Nuclear Police Authority to maintain and manage a barred list and an advisory list for constables and civilian employees.
The instrument specifies what information must be recorded—such as names, ranks, and reasons for dismissal—and mandates the publication of certain details regarding dismissed constables for a five-year period, provided national security or personal safety is not compromised.
It establishes procedures for automatic removal from the lists in cases of death, successful appeal, or the passage of time, and creates a process for individuals to apply for removal after a minimum period of three or five years.