05/11/2026
Welcome to our November Energy Matters Newsletter
The energy sector is a rapidly changing market with daily updates on technological advances, regulatory reviews, policy updates, and 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.
Stay connected: Follow our Energy & Resource Management showcase page on LinkedIn here.
Our resources:
Decarbonisation hub: thought leadership and in-depth research on the opportunities and challenges for developers, investors and public sector entities across the housing, local government and higher education markets.
Points of Connection: Free resources for anyone interested in heat networks.
Energy Spotlight
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Autumn Budget 2026
The Autumn Budget 2026 provided a clearer indication of where the Government sees energy policy supporting growth and industrial competitiveness over the coming years. For the energy sector, the headline message was a continued commitment to clean energy investment, but with an increasingly sharp focus on affordability, deliverability and economic impact.
Several announcements will be of particular interest to the energy sector. The Chancellor, John Healey, pledged to “build cheaper, faster grid connections through GB Grid, and reform the complex web of institutions that govern the system”. This development will be welcomed by energy-intensive users, developers, data centres and those pursuing electrification strategies who continue to face delays associated with grid capacity constraints.
Read our article on GB Grid here.
Alongside this the Chancellor announced a data centre covenant under which operators will commit to investing in local communities, creating jobs and protecting water supplies in return for faster access to grid connections and, where appropriate, support for on-site power generation.
The Budget also reinforced the Government's determination to reduce energy costs over the long term. As the Chancellor stated:
"This government will only buy and build new projects when they lower bills and when they can connect to the grid."
and
"We will further break the grip of international gas prices on our bills by moving more of our old renewables onto fixed price contracts."
To support this objective, the Government launched a consultation on a "Wholesale Contracts for Difference scheme for existing low carbon electricity generators", one of the most significant announcements for the renewables sector. The consultation seeks views on a scheme that could enable existing renewable generators to move onto fixed-price arrangements, providing greater revenue certainty while reducing exposure to volatile wholesale power markets. It also considers a "possible hybrid model for generators accredited under the Renewables Obligation", potentially allowing projects to retain existing support mechanisms while moving wholesale revenues onto a fixed-price basis.
The Government also outlined a package of measures aimed at reducing energy costs and supporting industrial competitiveness. These include the introduction of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme from April 2027, which is expected to deliver electricity discounts of 20-25% for around 10,000 energy-intensive manufacturing businesses (and will now include an additional back-payment covering the 2026-27 financial year), reforms to standing charges, the introduction of an Energy Debt Circuit Breaker, and the abolition of the proposed Gas Shipper Obligation.
The Budget signalled a notable shift in support for hydrogen. Rather than proceeding with the proposed levy on gas bills, the Government confirmed that hydrogen projects will be funded directly by government, including support for existing allocation rounds and potentially future projects, subject to value-for-money assessments.
While the Government reaffirmed support for selected CCUS developments, the Budget confirmed a £200 million reduction in carbon capture capital grants, with funding being redirected elsewhere. Most notably, the Acorn project in Scotland was left without a confirmed funding commitment, despite continued support for projects in other industrial clusters.
Taken together, the Budget suggests a government focused less on announcing new ambitions and more on accelerating delivery and managing costs. Grid reform, infrastructure investment, power market reform, industrial competitiveness and targeted support for emerging technologies now appear firmly at the centre of the energy policy agenda. For organisations across the sector, the challenge will be understanding how these reforms translate into investment opportunities and project delivery over the months ahead.
Bevan Brittan launches Decarbonisation Hub
We’re pleased to be launching our new Decarbonisation Hub. The Decarbonisation Hub is a new platform providing insight, thought leadership and in-depth research on the opportunities and challenges for developers, investors and public sector entities across the housing, local government and higher education markets.
We've identified a number of common themes shaping the next stage of the UK's decarbonisation journey:
New funding, investment and partnership models are gaining importance and providing real opportunities for developers and investors
Energy infrastructure and grid capacity are becoming critical constraints
Delivery capability is emerging as a key differentiator
Commercial structures, procurement and governance are increasingly influencing project success
Explore the hub and download our latest reports.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the reports.
EV charging made easier as planning barriers removed
The Government has announced that homeowners will no longer need planning permission to install cross-pavement EV charging solutions, removing a key barrier for households without driveways. The change is expected to save drivers up to £300 in installation costs and make it easier for more people to access lower-cost home charging. The Government has also extended permitted development rights to support the faster deployment of larger, higher-powered public charging hubs.
Alongside these reforms, the Government has launched consultations on improving access to EV charging for tenants and leaseholders and on strengthening requirements for EV charging infrastructure in new and refurbished buildings. Together, these measures signal a continued focus on accelerating the rollout of charging infrastructure and supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
Read the full announcement here.
Zone Coordination Bodies under the heat network zoning regime
The draft Heat Network Zones (England) Regulations 2026 provide further detail on the governance arrangements that will underpin England's emerging heat network zoning regime. Central to the framework are Zone Coordinators (or Zone Coordination Bodies), which will be responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing the delivery of heat network zones, including appointing developers, gathering data and managing local implementation.
In this article, we explore the proposed role, powers and governance requirements of Zone Coordinators, including the options available to local authorities when structuring these bodies. We also examine the practical considerations around accountability, conflicts of interest, liability and resourcing as the sector prepares for the implementation of heat network zoning.
Read our article by Nick Fothergill, Andy Spicer, and Emma Woodhouse here.
Great British Grid: a solution to the connections bottleneck?
The Government's new Great British Grid (GB Grid) could mark a significant change in how electricity network infrastructure is delivered in Great Britain.
Announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, GB Grid will be a new publicly owned body within Great British Energy, investing alongside the private sector and existing network operators to increase competition and accelerate delivery of new grid infrastructure.
Read our article by Tim Kittow here.
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Electric Vehicles
Expanding electric vehicle charging access for tenants and leaseholders
Department for Transport 21 October 2026
The Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on measures to improve access to electric vehicle charging for tenants and leaseholders in England
Energy Efficiency
Government has granted consent for gas to be produced from the Jackdaw gas field
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 21 October 2026
Jackdaw will start to supply gas to British homes and businesses from the end of October. The Chancellor also announced a new Energy Wealth Fund, which will use tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas to invest in renewable and low carbon energy projects.
EV Infrastructure
Department for Transport
Drivers will no longer need planning permission to install cross-pavement chargers which run under pavements from people’s homes to their cars. This will save drivers up to £300 on installation and open up home charging for as little as 2p per mile.
Energy Sector Reform
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee 21 October 2026
The government should now move all remaining energy transition policy costs off the price of electricity and onto the price of gas on UK energy bills, the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee says.
E.ON successfully completes acquisition of OVO in the UK
E.ON 10 October 2026
E.ON has successfully completed the acquisition of UK energy supplier OVO, announced in May. The transaction has been completed following the recent approval by the UK Competition and Markets Authority
Applications open for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade 1 October 2026
The scheme will help more than 10,000 UK manufacturers reduce electricity bills by up to 25%. Eligible businesses must apply by 30 November 2026 to receive support from April 2027.
Great British Grid to speed up connections and cut bills
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 29 September 2026
The government today (Tuesday 29 September) announces Great British Grid (GBG), a new publicly owned body within Great British Energy that will help accelerate the delivery of the electricity network infrastructure Britain needs.
Heat Networks
Heat network regulation: authorisation application arrangements
Ofgem 5 October 2026
An Ofgem consultation seeks views on interim arrangements for authorising and registering new heat network operators and suppliers. From 27 January 2027, businesses wishing to operate or supply a heat network will need Ofgem authorisation before commencing regulated activities.
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