15/05/2026
On the 13th May 2026, the King's speech referred to energy independence as a long-term goal for the UK in light of the recent energy price shocks of the events in the Middle East. The speech outlined plans for an Energy Independence Bill. The Bill remains under development but a paper published 7 May 2026 sets out what the bill is likely to include:
Energy Security
- Reform of Ofgem to have increased consumer protection powers and general framework reworking.
- Changes to grid infrastructure regulation with a package of measures to reduce unnecessary delays, including reforms to land access rules and network consents.
- Reforms of the planning and regulatory frameworks for renewable energy generation, hydrogen and smart grid technologies.
- Greater powers to improve grid efficiency.
- Potential for Ofgem to regulate third-party intermediaries i.e. brokers.
- Enable the removal of charges on electricity that consumers export to the grid and legislative backing for flexible billing arrangements for energy bills i.e. free electricity on certain days for those living near energy installations.
- Allow for EV vehicle-to-grid charging at times of high demand by removing consumer levies for selling energy back to the grid.
Consumer Protection
- Reform of Ofgem to consolidate its responsibilities and the grant of further powers.
- New rules to ensure landlords invest in heating efficiency home upgrades.
- Establishing the Warm Homes Agency to deliver the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan.
- Expansion of existing Government tools to provide targeted support for energy bills.
- Secured three year funding for 75% of the cost of the Renewables Obligation scheme
Deliver a fair, managed and prosperous transition and good jobs in clean energy
- End new coal licences by amending the Coal Industry Act 1994.
- No new North Sea oil and gas
- Licences Introduction of Transitional Energy Certificates to manage existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime.
- Focus on North Sea Transition Authority, including a new statutory objective to consider workers, communities and supply chains in NSTAs decisions.
- Extended employment rights and protections for offshore workers in renewables based off Oil and Gas worker regulations.
- Continuation of the ban on fracking.
The Government also made reference to new Nuclear and Electricity Generator bills alongside the Energy Independence Bill we anticipate these bills will include the following:
Nuclear Regulation Bill
- Assisting with the faster and cheaper delivery of nuclear projects.
- Removal of legislative duplication i.e. combination of the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Defence Nuclear Regulator
- Implement the recommendations and the findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Review:
- Recommended establishment for new commission for nuclear regulation.
- New standards for tolerability and risk framework.
- Current framework is based on 1991 guidance
- Updates occurring currently in light of current projects such as Sizewell and the small reactor programme
Electricity Generator Levy Bill
- Bill will ensure an increase in the Electricity Generator Levy rate from 45 per cent to 55 per cent from 1 July 2026.
There is currently no timeframe for introducing the Bill (or the others proposed), but as the legislation is estimated to be the same length as the Energy Act 2023, it is likely to a take a similar, if not longer time to go from introduction to royal assent (approx. 1 year and 6 months).
