Energy Legislation

Legislative framework for energy production, distribution, renewable sources, nuclear power, and energy efficiency standards.

The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Tue 15th Apr 25

The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2023 Order to make non-material changes to bycatch reduction measures.

Specifically, it revises the definition of "the offshore compensation measures" and modifies paragraphs 10-12 of Part 3 of Schedule 16, related to guillemot compensation, by updating consultation processes, predator eradication methods, and notification requirements.

The changes were made following an application under the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 and are effective from April 14, 2025.

The Heckington Fen Solar Park (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Tue 15th Apr 25

This order corrects errors in the Heckington Fen Solar Park Order 2025, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008.

The Secretary of State approved corrections based on a written request from the applicant, which were then notified to the relevant local planning authorities.

The corrections amend several sections of the original order, updating references and coordinates, particularly in Schedules 1 and 13.

The effective date is April 14, 2025.

The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Mon 14th Apr 25

The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) (Correction) Order 2025 rectifies errors and omissions in the 2024 Order, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008.

The Secretary of State received a request for corrections and subsequently issued this order detailing specific textual changes across multiple articles and schedules of the 2024 Order, impacting definitions, articles defining development consent and procedures, along with specific provisions relating to the project.

The order ensures the legal framework for the project is accurate.

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 7th Apr 25

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 1986 Regulations to permit road use of hydrogen-fuelled agricultural vehicles, engineering plant, works trucks, and category T tractors.

The amendments introduce new safety requirements for hydrogen fuel systems, including stipulations for fuelling receptacles, pressure relief devices, leak prevention, and driver warnings.

These requirements align with UNECE regulations and aim to balance enabling the use of hydrogen technology with ensuring public and environmental safety.

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Engineering College of Technology Limited) Order 2025

Published: Mon 31st Mar 25

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Engineering College of Technology Limited) Order 2025 authorizes Engineering College of Technology Limited to grant taught awards up to the master's level in specified engineering and technology subjects.

The authorization, effective April 1, 2025, and expiring April 1, 2029, follows advice from the relevant body and is based on the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

The Order lists specific subjects covered and requires that award recipients be enrolled at the college at the time of course completion.

An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the lack of impact on businesses, civil society organizations, or the public sector.

The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Spiorad na Mara) (Scotland) Order 2025

Published: Wed 26th Mar 25

The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Spiorad na Mara) (Scotland) Order 2025 grants an indefinite exemption from the requirement for Spiorad na Mara Limited to hold an electricity transmission licence for the transmission of electricity from its offshore generating station in the Isle of Lewis to an onshore substation.

The Secretary of State made the order under powers granted by the Electricity Act 1989, after consultation with Scottish Ministers, based on the unique circumstances of the offshore project.

The exemption applies to Scotland only, takes effect on May 7, 2025 and does not require a full impact assessment due to the anticipated lack of significant impact on the public or private sectors.

The Certification of Fuels and Fireplaces (Charges) (England) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 11th Mar 25

These regulations establish charges for the certification of wood fuel, manufactured solid fuels, and fireplaces in England, under the Clean Air Act 1993 and the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020.

The regulations detail the specific charges for various application types and supplier categories, including initial applications, recertification, compliance checks, and audits.

These are payable to appointed assessment bodies and are intended to fund the certification process, which helps enforce smoke control measures and contributes to cleaner air, in line with the UK's obligations under the Gothenburg Protocol.

The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025

Published: Thu 6th Mar 25

The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 designates numerous central government bodies as 'designated bodies' for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

This designation is for their inclusion in the supply estimates and resource accounts of their respective government departments.

The order covers various government departments and agencies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

It is based on powers granted by the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and includes consultations with devolved administrations.

The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025

Published: Tue 4th Mar 25

The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025 establishes 500-meter safety zones around five offshore installations in UK waters.

Two installations were already in place when the Order was made and two more will be in place from March or April 2025.

The order is based on the Petroleum Act 1987 and proposals from the Health and Safety Executive, aiming to enhance maritime safety by preventing vessels from entering or remaining in these zones without consent or in accordance with regulations.

The Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates) (Hydrocarbon Oils etc.) Order 2022 (Continuation) Order 2025

Published: Fri 28th Feb 25

This order extends the Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates) (Hydrocarbon Oils etc.) Order 2022 until March 22, 2026.

The 2022 Order adjusts excise duty liabilities and rebates for hydrocarbon oils.

This extension ensures continued regulatory stability and predictable tax revenue while maintaining existing legal frameworks.

It builds upon previous continuation orders issued in 2023 and 2024.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 26th Feb 25

These regulations amend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme Regulations, clarifying and limiting supplier obligations to provide energy discounts after a defined date.

The amendments also adjust processes for dealing with disagreements between energy suppliers and customers and extend a specified timeframe within the Energy Prices Act 2022.

The changes primarily aim to streamline administration and provide clarity for energy suppliers while maintaining the targeted provision of energy support to customers.

The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025

Published: Tue 25th Feb 25

The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025 designates numerous public and local government bodies to provide financial information to the Treasury for the 2024-2025 financial year.

This data is used to compile the Whole of Government Accounts, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in public spending.

The Order came into force on March 18, 2025, and applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Treasury consulted with Welsh Ministers where deemed appropriate.

The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 21st Feb 25

The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2014 Electricity Capacity Regulations to improve the UK's Capacity Market.

Key changes include introducing 9-year capacity agreements for certain low-carbon generating units, clarifying eligibility criteria, and simplifying some administrative procedures.

These amendments seek to enhance the market's efficiency, promote low-carbon investment, and improve regulatory clarity.

Several subsections clarify existing ambiguities and align the regulations with ongoing updates to the Capacity Market Rules.

The Associated British Ports (Immingham Green Energy Terminal) Order 2025

Published: Fri 14th Feb 25

This Order grants development consent and authorises the construction, operation, and maintenance of a multi-user marine terminal at Immingham Port for importing and exporting bulk liquids.

It incorporates relevant provisions of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847, addresses street works, land acquisition (including compulsory purchase powers), and temporary land possession, outlining compensation procedures and protective measures for various stakeholders.

The order also includes stipulations for environmental management, decommissioning, and compliance with maritime regulations, along with detailed operational and general provisions.

The Environmental Permitting (Electricity Generating Stations) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 14th Feb 25

The regulations establish new requirements for electricity generating stations in England to demonstrate their readiness for future decarbonisation through either carbon capture and storage (CCS) or hydrogen conversion.

Operators must submit detailed technical and economic feasibility assessments when applying for environmental permits, proving they can meet specific conditions for either CCS readiness or hydrogen conversion readiness.

The regulations replace existing Carbon Capture Readiness requirements and extend to both inland and territorial waters adjacent to England.

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025

Published: Wed 12th Feb 25

This Order implements significant changes to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), primarily splitting the 2026-2030 allocation period into two separate periods: a one-year 2026 allocation period and a four-year 2027-2030 allocation period.

It establishes new processes for free allocation of emissions allowances, modifies eligibility criteria for ultra-small emitters, enhances registry transparency requirements, and expands information sharing powers for climate change policy development.

The Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Tue 11th Feb 25

This Order amends the 2024 Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions Offshore Wind Farm Order, incorporating non-material changes.

These alterations include specifications for minimum air gaps between wind turbine blades and HAT, adjustments to documentation requirements listed in Schedule 18, and other numerical updates to various parameters within Schedule 2.

The amendments follow an application under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008 and a review process adhering to the 2011 Regulations.

The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

The Order transfers specific environmental assessment and planning data functions from the UK Secretary of State to Scottish Ministers, granting them concurrent powers over renewable energy projects.

It enables Scottish Ministers to make regulations regarding environmental outcomes reports and planning data for generating stations in Scotland and the Scottish Renewable Energy Zone, while requiring consultation with the Secretary of State.

The Order extends existing devolved powers to include offshore renewable energy developments and maintains coordination between UK and Scottish authorities.