28/08/2025
Welcome to our August Energy Matters Newsletter
The energy sector is a rapidly changing market with daily updates on technological advances, regulatory reviews, policy updates, funding decisions. In each edition of our Energy Matters Newsletter, we aim to provide a user-friendly, summary update of some of the key issues we are seeing across the renewable energy and resource management sectors.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, please contact a member of our energy team.
Energy Spotlight
Heat Networks Regulation – approach to Consumer Protections
As part of its plans to establish a new regulatory framework for the heat network sector, the Government has recently published its Response to the consultation on 'Heat networks regulation - implementing consumer protection'.
Consumer protection is one of the key pillars of the Government’s drive to expand the heat network sector and this consultation response was therefore eagerly awaited by the sector and consumer groups.
Read our high-level summary of some key aspects of the Response here.
Quick Links |
Carbon Capture Storage / Usage
Government seeks views on CCUS future network strategy
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 6 August 2025
This call for evidence seeks industry’s views on how a CO2 network strategy can be developed to support the economic and regulatory transition of networks away from reliance on government support, towards a more independent, market led approach.
Government seeks views on economic regulation for CO2 storage
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 6 August 2025
The government are seeking views and evidence on economic regulation for CO2 storage to guide policy and support growth within an evolving carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) sector.
HyNet CCUS cluster site set to expand
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 5 August 2025
Major carbon capture site spanning North Wales and North West England boosted by negotiations with 2 new projects, securing 800 additional, skilled jobs for local people
District Energy
Ofgem 8 August 2025
The government response outlines how Ofgem plan to take the proposals forward, whilst incorporating the feedback and evidence provided by stakeholders
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Government discounts for electric vans and trucks extended
Department for Transport 18 August 2025
The plug-in van and truck grant currently offers discounts up to £2,500 for small vans, £5,000 for large vans, £16,000 for small trucks, and £25,000 for large trucks, and the Government has confirmed the grant will continue through to at least 2027.
UK Export Council gives Ford to aid electric vehicle production
Department for Business and Trade 31 July 2025
UK Export Finance announces a new £1 billion export guarantee, supporting Ford UK's transition to electric vehicle production.
Electricity
Millions of litres of oil seeping into UK soil from ageing electricity cables
Guardian 13 August 2025
In the past 15 years, 3m litres (660,000 gallons) of oil has been spilt under southern England from cables owned by the electricity distribution company UK Power Networks the Guardian states.
Government consults on governance framework for Smart Secure Electricity Systems Programme
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 4 August 2025
The government are seeking views on the Enduring Governance of the SSES Programme, and the technical and security governance functions to be part of these arrangements.
Energy from Waste
Government releases consultation response on UK Emissions Trading Scheme
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 21 July 2025
The government has confirmed that the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) stage for the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will begin on 1 January 2026.
Energy Efficiency
Green mortgage guidance unveiled for UK lenders and housebuilders
Green Finance Institute 13 August 2025
The Green Home Finance Roadmap sets out a shared vision for how the mortgage industry can mobilise capital to unlock sustainable, future-ready homes for every type of borrower.
All-electric town in Kent to supply power back to the grid
Guardian 7 August 2025
The developers of a new garden town in Kent have struck a deal with a leading energy infrastructure company to design and operate a “smart” energy grid, which could mean its 8,500 households act as a virtual power plant for the rest of the country.
Energy Sector Reform
Ofgem drives forward plans for new and improved smart meter rules
Ofgem 8 August 2025
New smart meter standards and more compensation for customers facing long wait times for installations or repairs are set to be introduced next year, under plans put forward by Ofgem
Ofgem announces major review into how costs are allocated across the energy system
Ofgem 30 July 2025
Ofgem has launched a major review into how costs are allocated across the energy system – including looking at a range of potential alternative pricing models for consumers
Hydrogen
£125m hydrogen supply deal to replace gas usage
BBC News 23 July 2025
Tissue maker Kimberly-Clark has signed a £125m contract with two hydrogen facilities to reduce the amount natural gas used in its production line
£200m hydrogen-from-waste facility to be developed at Thames Freeport
Letsrecycle.com 8 August 2025
London Thames Hydrogen has confirmed it has received a £200 million investment to develop a hydrogen-from-waste plant at the Tilbury Tax Site at Thames Freeport.
10 hydrogen projects sign contracts
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 23 July 2025
In an update to the hydrogen market, the government has confirmed that 10 projects from the first phase of its flagship hydrogen programme – Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) – can begin construction.
Nuclear
Nuclear Taskforce interim report published
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 11 August 2025
Independent expert taskforce report states British nuclear projects are being held back by costly and complex regulation barriers
Energy Secretary signs off on multi-billion-pound deal for Sizewell C
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 22 July 2025
Millions of working people will benefit from cheaper clean power, as the government agrees a landmark, multi-billion-pound deal to build Sizewell C – a major step forward in the delivery of a new ‘golden age’ of nuclear under the government’s Plan for Change.
Solar and Battery
National Grid connects UK’s largest battery storage facility at Tilbury substation
National Grid 18 August 2025
National Grid has connected the UK’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) to its transmission network at Tilbury substation in Essex
UK largest floating solar farm approved for dock
BBC News 9 August 2025
Plans have been approved for what is being touted as the biggest floating solar farm in the UK.
It is set to be included in the £100m redevelopment the Grade II-listed Ice Factory complex at Grimsby docks.
E.ON launches trial to share solar power with nearby homes via their smart meters in East London
E.ON 31 July 2025
It works by generating solar power at St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Aided (CEVA) Primary School in Canning Town which is used in the school, and any surplus allotted to nearby homes at a discount- lowering bills for both.
RWE secures consent for 180MW Byers Gill Solar and Battery Storage development project
RWE 23 July 2025
Byers Gill Solar Farm, which is planned for several sites between Darlington and Stockton, has been granted a development consent order.
Wind
One of world's largest offshore wind farms approved
BBC News 31 July 2025
The Berwick Bank project - to be positioned 23 miles off the east coast in the North Sea - could generate enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of every household in Scotland twice over.
