'Who's Who' in British Energy

The launch of Britain's new National Energy System Operator has brought a further shake-up of the key players in Britain's energy sector.

In this Insight, we deep dive into the roles of those that govern, regulate and operate the energy sector – the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem and the newly operational National Energy System Operator. We then look to the new energy kids on the block – Great British Energy, Great British Nuclear, Mission Control and the National Wealth Fund –  and summarise what is known so far about the role they will play in Britain's new energy world. These new players are the cornerstones of the Labour government's plan to make "Britain a clean energy superpower", on which we have reported here and here, but in respect of which much of the substance behind the ambitious and upbeat rhetoric remains to be revealed. Finally, we explore the roles played by our now well-established supporting bodies – the Low Carbon Contracts Company, the Electricity Settlements Company and the North Sea Transition Authority. 


Jump to: DESNZ | NESO | Ofgem | GB Energy | Mission Control | GBN | NWF and UKIB | LCCC | ESC | NSTA 

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

Who?

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is the government department responsible for, among other things, ensuring security of energy supply, reducing energy consumers' bills and improving and ensuring the efficiency of the energy market in the UK. 

What type of body is it?

DESNZ is a government department.

When was it formed?

DESNZ was formed by the Conservative government in February 2023 and replaced the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

What is its purpose?

DESNZ's primary aim is to secure the UK's long-term energy supply, bring down bills and reach net zero.

In particular it sets itself strategic priorities each year, which are the key areas it intends to focus on over the course of the year. Its strategic priorities for 2023-2024 include ensuring energy security, improving energy efficiency in homes, ensuring the UK reaches its legally binding net zero goals and passing the Great British Energy Bill to support the emerging carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen sectors.

The Great British Energy Bill will be used to establish and set out the goals, powers and priorities of Great British Energy (GB Energy), a publicly owned company set up by the government to drive investment in clean energy in the UK (see further on GB Energy below). 

Who falls within its remit?

DESNZ works with 15 other agencies and bodies in the course of its work including Ofgem, Great British Nuclear, the North Sea Transition Authority, the Low Carbon Contracts Company and GB Energy (see further on each of these below).

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

DESNZ is reviewed and scrutinised by the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee. This committee examines its plans, its spending and its budgets. 

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?  

DESNZ funds initiatives to support the UK's energy security, energy efficiency and net zero goals.  

DESNZ prepares a breakdown of its estimated required funding, which is then put before Parliament for approval. 

Notable individuals

The secretary of state for DESNZ is Ed Miliband. The ministers of state are Lord Hunt of Kings Heath and Sarah Jones. 

National Energy System Operator (NESO)

Who?

The National Energy System Operator Limited (NESO) is the new licenced Independent System Operator and Planner (ISOP) for Great Britain, being the independent and publicly owned body responsible for planning Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. 

What type of body is it?

An independent, not-for-profit, public corporation.

When was it formed?

The government acquired National Grid Energy Systems Operator (NGESO) (which performed the role of Britain's electricity system operator (ESO)) from National Grid. NGESO was renamed NESO with effect from 1 October 2024, the date on which the new ESO licence and gas system planner licence granted to NESO came into effect. The legislative framework for establishing an ISOP, transferring ownership of NGESO to the government and granting the licences to NESO was established by the Energy Act 2023.

The newly named NESO began operations on 1 October 2024, the date on which the new ESO licence and gas system planner licence granted to NESO pursuant to the Energy Act 2023 came into effect. 

What is its purpose?

NESO has taken on the main roles and responsibilities of the ESO (which had previously been performed by NGESO), as well as the system and market planning roles that were held by National Gas Transmission (NGT). In respect of gas however, NESO has not taken on the real-time system operation and associated activities (which continue to be provided by NGT). Accordingly, NESO will be responsible for planning Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the national electricity transmission system.

NESO's statutory duties include:

• Existing ESO duties: to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical transmission system and facilitate competition in generation and supply.
• New primary duties: to promote net zero, energy security and cost efficiency.
• Gas-related duties: gas strategic planning, gas forecasting and market strategy functions.
• Advisory duties: complying with requests for the provision of advice, analysis, or information from the government or Ofgem.

NESO has been named as the Delivery Body for the Electricity Market Reform (EMR), which was brought into force by the Energy Act 2013. It will manage the two key aspects of the EMR: the Capacity Market (CM) and the Contracts for Difference regime through the Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) and Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) respectively (see further on the ESC and LCCC below).

NESO establishes the CM rules and manages the CM auction process based on its analysis of the future capacity required to meet future demand.

NESO has taken over primary responsibility for the Connection and Use of System Code, Grid Code and the System Operator Transmission Owner Code.

NESO has not taken over ownership of Elexon from NGESO. Elexon administers the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) and provides payment and settlement services under the BSC. Ownership of Elexon has now transferred from NGESO to the thirteen energy companies that contributed the most to Elexon's funding as of 1 January 2023.

Who falls within its remit?

As the licenced ISOP, NESO's planning and operational remit extends to any entity involved in the following activities in Great Britain:

• the supply of electricity or gas;
• the shipping of gas;
• the generation of electricity;
• the production of gas;
• electricity transmission;
• electricity distribution;
• gas transportation;
• gas acquisition, disposal or storage; and
• the supply of gas supply meter services. 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

NESO's duties are prescribed by statute. The key legislative framework for the creation of the NESO is the Energy Act 2023 (in which NESO is referred to as the ISOP) and NESO's statutory duties, powers and responsibilities are set out in the Act.

Sections 166 and 168 of the Act established the licensing regime pursuant to which NESO was granted the new ESO licence and gas system planner licence.

NESO will be regulated by Ofgem in accordance with its published NESO Roles Guidance to ensure alignment with stakeholder and consumer interests. The current guidance covers the RIIO-2 Business Plan 2 assessment period which runs from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025. Ofgem intends for this guidance to sit alongside NESO's statutory duties.

Licence enforcement for NESO will broadly follow the same process as exists for other companies licensed by Ofgem (including as existed for NGESO). However, as NESO is a not-for-profit body, the use of financial penalties as an outcome, while still possible, would have limited consequence and instead be recycled through consumer bills. Accordingly, enforcement is likely to focus instead on the reputational impact to NESO, noting that all enforcement outcomes would be public. 

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

While funding is not the core purpose of NESO, as part of its remit, NESO will provide funding to industry and academia to develop and deliver innovation projects. This funding is currently provided by both the Network Innovation Allowance and the Strategic Innovation Fund.

Notable individuals

Paul Golby is the chair and Fintan Slye is the chief executive of NESO.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)

Who?

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is the primary regulator of the gas and electricity industry. It determines the strategic direction, sets policy priorities, makes decisions on a wide range of regulatory issues, including price controls, and has enforcement powers. 

What type of body is it?

Ofgem is a non-ministerial government department. It is an independent, arm's-length regulator, governed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). 

When was it formed?

Ofgem was formed in 2000 through the merger of Office of Electricity Regulation and Office of Gas Supply under the Utilities Act 2000 in order to regulate both the gas and electricity industries together. 

What is its purpose?

Ofgem is the public body responsible for overseeing the electricity and gas markets. Its primary duty is the protection of current and future consumer interests.

Ofgem protects consumer interests principally through ensuring supplier compliance and effective competition in the gas and electricity markets. More recently, this duty has grown to include facilitating the transition to net zero and promoting sustainable growth.

Ofgem has powers to enforce licence conditions, competition law, consumer protection law and the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. In some cases, it also has investigative powers jointly with the Competition and Markets Authority, and oversight of compliance under the Regulation (EU) No 1227/2011 on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency.

Ofgem has five strategic priorities:

• shaping a retail market that works for consumers;
• enabling infrastructure for net zero at pace;
• establishing an efficient, fair and flexible energy system;
• advancing decarbonisation through low carbon energy and social schemes; and
• strengthening Ofgem as an organisation.

These priorities are broken down further into 14 key objectives, set out in its 2024/2025 Forward Work Programme and Multiyear Strategy. 

Who falls within its remit?

Ofgem is the regulator for the energy industry and accordingly regulates all aspects of the energy market, from generation to transmission, through to retail supply to consumers.

In Great Britain, certain activities (including the generation, distribution, supply of electricity and the shipping and supply of gas) are prohibited by the Electricity Act 1989 and the Gas Act 1986 unless the person carrying on that activity is licensed, exempt from the requirement for a licence, or eligible (under the Gas Act only) for an exception to the prohibition on unlicensed activities. Licenses must be obtained from Ofgem and Ofgem enforces compliance with the conditions of each licence.

Ofgem also investigates anti-competitive behaviour such as introducing barriers to switching provider or active collusion between companies.

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

Ofgem operates within a statutory framework, with its powers derived from the following legislation:

• Gas Act 1986
• Electricity Act 1989
• Utilities Act 2000
• Competition Act 1998
• Enterprise Act 2002
• Energy Acts of 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2011
• Measures and Acts arising directly from effective European Union legislation.

Ofgem's governing body is GEMA, also referred to as the Ofgem Board, which is split between executive and non-executive members. Non-executive members of Ofgem's board are appointed by the secretary of state for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. Both the Ofgem board and its senior executive committee are made up of senior industry figures.

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

Ofgem is funded through a levy on the companies it licenses.

Ofgem also provides funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund which aims to fund projects that help accelerate the transition to net zero and enhance value to consumers. It was launched in 2021 and is expected to invest £450 million by 2028.

Notable individuals

Mark McAllister is the chair of GEMA and Jonathan Brearley is the chief executive officer of Ofgem.

Great British Energy (GB Energy)

Who?

Great British Energy (GB Energy) will be a publicly owned energy company. It has been heralded by the Labour government as a cornerstone of its broader policy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland.

What type of body is it?

GB Energy is being established as a government-owned company which will be operationally independent from but wholly owned by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. As most other companies do, it will operate in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

When was it formed?

At the time of writing, the establishment of GB Energy remains subject to successful passage of the Great British Energy Bill (GB Energy Bill) through the UK Parliament's legislative process. 

What is its purpose?

The GB Energy Bill provides that GB Energy's objects are restricted to facilitating, encouraging and participating in:

• the production, distribution, storage and supply of clean energy;
• the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from energy produced from fossil fuels;
• improvements in energy efficiency; and
• measures for ensuring the security of the supply of energy.

GB Energy's Founding Statement of 25 July 2024 provides that it will have five functions:

• developing clean energy projects through its partnership with The Crown Estate;
• investing in and owning renewable energy projects;
• incentivising local power through partnerships with energy companies, local authorities and communities;
• helping to build clean energy supply chains in the UK; and
• working with Great British Nuclear (GBN) to deliver new nuclear projects.

Who falls within its remit?

GB Energy is not a regulator or electricity supplier. Rather, it is intended that GB Energy will collaborate with investors and partner with bodies such as The Crown Estate and GBN in order to deliver its five functions (see more on GBN below). 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

The UK government has confirmed that GB Energy will operate as an independent company with an independent fiduciary board.

According to its Founding Statement, GB Energy will have strategic objectives and a framework document agreed with the secretary of state.

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?  

The provision of funding through investment is a key objective of GB Energy.

The government intends GB Energy to become a financially sustainable and self-financing organisation in the long term, looking to reinvest its returns into new projects. In the meantime, the GB Energy Bill provides that secretary of state may provide financial assistance to GB Energy. Accordingly, it is understood that GB Energy may initially be funded by an increased windfall tax on oil and gas companies and borrowing.

Notable individuals

Juergen Maier CBE (former CEO of Siemens UK) will be chair of GB Energy.

Mission Control

Who?

The government describes Mission Control as a "control centre" which will "turbocharge" the government's mission to provide cheaper and clean power to the UK by 2030. 

What type of body is it?

The exact form that Mission Control will take is unclear at this stage, although it has been stated that it will be "a first of its kind in government", and act as a one-stop shop, convening industry experts and officials. A key aim of Mission Control is to remove barriers for the development of energy projects.

When was it formed?

As we have previously reported on here, Mission Control was announced on 9 July 2024 by Ed Miliband. At the time of writing, Mission Control has not yet been formed officially.

What is its purpose?

Mission Control will focus on four strands of activity:

• setting and tracking the overall approach to delivering 2030 targets across the energy system;
• monitoring the progress of UK infrastructure projects critical to these targets;
• acting as an innovation centre by encouraging discussion among experts; and
• serving as a convener for the Mission Control approach across government and with industry.
   

Who falls within its remit?

Mission Control will work with parties across the energy market including Ofgem and NESO, energy companies and developers. It will assist in removing barriers and facilitating the development of energy projects critical to the UK's clean energy goals.

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

No details have been confirmed in relation to the powers of Mission Control or its regulation and oversight.

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

Mission Control will not provide any funding. 

Notable individuals

Chris Stark (former CEO of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Carbon Trust) will lead Mission Control. David Joffe, former head of net zero at the CCC, is the chief energy system advisor.  

Great British Nuclear (GBN)

Who?

Great British Nuclear (GBN) is an arm's-length government body which supports the UK nuclear industry. GBN was formerly known as British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, which was created in 1971 to, among other things, manufacture nuclear fuel, run reactors, generate and sell electricity. 

What type of body is it?

GBN operates through a UK-incorporated limited company and is classified as a non-departmental public body which is wholly owned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

When was it formed?

British Nuclear Fuels Ltd was formed in 1971 and was operational until 2010. The body was officially re-launched as GBN in July 2023 as part of the Conservative Government's "Powering Up Britain" plan, on which we previously reported here and here.

What is its purpose?

GBN was established to deliver the UK's long-term nuclear programme and has a target to deliver up to 24GW of nuclear power in the UK by 2050.

Its first priority in 2023 was to administer a competitive process to select the best small modular reactor (SMR) technologies from around the world. The aim of this process is stated to enable a project to reach a Final Investment Decision by the end of 2029.

GBN has also purchased two sites, a former nuclear plant in Wylfa in Ynys Môn/Anglesey and the Oldbury-on-Severn site in Gloucestershire. 

Who falls within its remit?

GBN was established to work with developers of nuclear technologies directly. 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

GBN is led by a board of directors and executive leadership team and is sponsored by DESNZ. Its board of directors is accountable to DESNZ for its activities and performance. DESNZ also determines the policy and resources framework and approves GBN's strategy and annual business plan.

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

GBN does not provide funding directly. Rather it coordinates the SMR competition, through which successful companies may be awarded government contracts. GBN itself is publicly funded.  

Notable individuals

The interim CEO is Gwen Parry-Jones OBE, and the interim chair is Simon Bowen. Both are veterans of the industry and Mr Bowen led the scoping phase of GBN before its official launch.

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) and UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB)

Who?

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) will be established as a new publicly owned investment vehicle, aligning two existing public financial institutions, the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and the British Business Bank (BBB). The NWF will absorb the existing budgets and assets of UKIB and BBB and is likely to be capitalised with additional funding.

What type of body is it?

As a state-owned investment vehicle, the NWF is modelled on other national investment bodies, such as the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund. However, the NWF is not a sovereign wealth fund, but has been designed instead as a sovereign-backed green catalytic fund which aims to mobilise private investment in the energy transition.

The NWF will be delivered through UKIB. UKIB is an arm's-length body, wholly owned and backed by HM Treasury but operationally independent from it.

When was it formed?

The NWF was created in July 2024, through the alignment of UKIB and BBB; however, the formation of NWF is still under way. Before the Labour Party entered government, the Green Finance Institute chaired a NWF Taskforce, convening industry leaders including the former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, the CEOs of Aviva, NatWest Group, Legal and General and Equitix, and wider industry leaders. The NWF Taskforce published a report advising the Labour Party on its recommendations for the structure and implementation of the new fund. 

What is its purpose?

The purpose of the NWF is to mobilise private capital to fund the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Labour's manifesto pledged that the NWF would provide £1 billion of funding to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture, and £500 million to support the manufacture of green hydrogen. Labour claims that for every £1 of public investment, the NWF will attract £3 of investment from private companies.

Who falls within its remit?

The NWF will provide funding to both private institutions and local governments to help deliver their net zero objectives. 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

The government intends to cement the fund's status in statute through the National Wealth Fund Bill, which was announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024.

It is expected that the NWF will be delivered through UKIB. UKIB must comply with the UK Infrastructure Bank Act 2023 and the principles and provisions of the Financial Reporting Council's UK Corporate Governance Code. The relationship between UKIB and its shareholder (HM Treasury) is set out in a framework document. This also sets out the governance and accountability requirements for UKIB and its relationship with its shareholder. 

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

The provision of funding is the purpose of the NWF. See further above.

Notable individuals

To be confirmed. 

Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) 

Who?

The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) facilitates private sector investment in low-carbon energy through the delivery of certain support schemes in Great Britain, including the Contracts for Difference (CfD). 

What type of body is it?

LCCC is an independent limited company whose sole shareholder is the secretary of state for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). 

When was it formed?

LCCC was established in 2014, following the government's introduction of the Electricity Market Reform programme in 2011.

What is its purpose?

The primary activity of LCCC is the delivery and administration of certain support schemes for Britain's clean energy system, including:

• the CfD scheme: Britain's primary scheme to support the development of large-scale renewable generation, in respect of which LCCC is the counterparty to each CfD contract awarded by the British government.
• Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) schemes: LCCC is the designated counterparty to the Dispatchable Power Agreement (DPA) and the Industrial Carbon Capture Contract (in each case which use the CfD framework), and the Revenue Support Agreement, together the contractual pillars of the various CCUS business models.
• Low Carbon Hydrogen schemes: LCCC is the counterparty to the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement, the CfD arrangement for the production of green hydrogen.
• the Nuclear Regulated Asset Base: LCCC will perform the role of revenue collection counterparty, channelling funds between electricity suppliers and relevant licensee nuclear companies in accordance with their revenue collection contract.

In addition, LCCC manages Capacity Market payments on behalf of and provides support services to, its affiliated company, the Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) (see further on the ESC below).

Who falls within its remit?

Low-carbon generators who receive the applicable government support schemes (as listed above) will contract with LCCC as the counterparty to the relevant support scheme agreement. 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

LCCC's powers and duties derive from the Energy Act 2013 and related regulations as well as the terms and conditions of the applicable scheme contract to which it is party.

LCCC has day-to-day operational independence from DESNZ, subject to certain limited exceptions which require shareholder consent.

The relationship between LCCC and the shareholder is set out in a framework document. This contains a guiding principle, which is that, in carrying out its activities, LCCC should seek to maintain investor confidence in the CfD regime. The guiding principle also requires LCCC to minimise costs to consumers.

As a government-owned company, LCCC is subject to the government’s framework for managing public money. 

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

LCCC provides payments to its contractual counterparties which are primarily funded by levies. For example, CfD payments to generators are met by a compulsory levy imposed on electricity suppliers called the CfD Supplier Obligation and DPA payments will be funded by levies on consumers.

The operational costs of LCCC are funded through a levy imposed on electricity suppliers called the Operational Costs Levy. 

Notable individuals

Regina Finn is the chair and Neil McDermott is the chief executive of LCCC.

The Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) 

Who?

The Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) is responsible for financial transactions relating to the Capacity Market (CM), which is the government's scheme to ensure security of electricity supply. 

What type of body is it?

ESC is an independent limited company whose sole shareholder is the secretary of state for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

When was it formed?

ESC was established in 2014, following the government's introduction of the Electricity Market Reform programme in 2011.

What is its purpose?

ESC is responsible for all financial transactions relating to the CM, including making capacity payments to capacity providers, managing supplier credit cover and capacity providers’ auction credit cover. ESC also contributes to the development of the CM, including by delivering and implementing changes and revisions to the CM settlement system. 

Who falls within its remit?

ESC interfaces with capacity providers and works with DESNZ.

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

ESC's powers and duties derive from the Energy Act 2013 and related regulations, as well as the terms and conditions of the applicable scheme contract to which it is party.

ESC has day-to-day operational independence from DESNZ, subject to certain limited exceptions which require shareholder consent.

The relationship between ESC and the shareholder is set out in a framework document. It contains a guiding principle which requires that, in carrying out its activities, ESC should seek to maintain market participants’ confidence in the CM settlement processes. The guiding principle also requires ESC to minimise costs to consumers.

As a government-owned company, ESC is subject to the government’s framework for managing public money.

Does it provide funding? If so, how is this funded?

The payments ESC provides to capacity providers are met by a compulsory levy imposed on electricity suppliers called the CM Obligation Levy.

The operational costs of ESC are funded through a levy imposed on electricity suppliers called the Settlement Costs Levy.

Notable individuals

Regina Finn is the chair and Neil McDermott is the chief executive officer of ESC.

North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)

Who?

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) (formerly the Oil and Gas Authority) is a government regulatory body responsible for licensing, regulating and influencing the UK oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. Its work is primarily focused on the offshore industry.

What type of body is it?

NSTA is a non-departmental public regulatory body.

When was it formed?

NSTA was established in 2015, as one of the recommendations of the 2014 Wood Review into how to maximise the recovery of oil and gas from the UK continental shelf. The Energy Act 2016 created the legislative framework to formally establish the Oil and Gas Authority as a government company. The body's name was changed to NSTA in March 2022 to reflect its changing role in the energy transition.

What is its purpose?

NSTA's primary objective under part 1A of the Petroleum Act 1998 is to maximise the economic recovery of UK petroleum.

However, its 2030 aims include halving supply emissions, deploying four Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) clusters, capturing 20-30Mt of carbon, and delivering 10GW of hydrogen (4GW blue and 6GW green).

NSTA is responsible for licensing, regulating and influencing:

• the UK's oil and gas industry;
• offshore hydrogen storage and pipelines;
• offshore carbon dioxide storage;
• gas storage and unloading activities; and
• upstream petroleum infrastructure.

NSTA will grant the UK's first CCS permits this year, which could lead to the first injection of offshore CO2 by 2028. It is also in charge of decommissioning and repurposing infrastructure and the stewardship of the assets on the UK Continental Shelf.

Who falls within its remit?

NSTA's remit covers holders of, and operators under, licenses and permits issued by it in relation to activities in the industries listed above. 

How is it authorised, governed and regulated?

NSTA is an executive non-departmental public body whose sole shareholder is the secretary of state for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). NSTA has day-to-day operational independence from DESNZ.

NSTA's powers and duties stem from the Petroleum Act 1998 and the Energy Acts 2008, 2011 and 2016.

Does it provide funding?

NSTA does not provide funding.

Notable individuals

Tim Eggar is the chair and Stuart Payne is the chief executive officer of NSTA.

Osborne Clarke comment

The secretary of state for energy security and net zero has recently commented that the energy trilemma has now been replaced by a "clean energy imperative", in that the drive to clean energy is the right course of action, not just on grounds of climate, but also for energy security and affordability. Given that NESO's new primary duties are to promote net zero, energy security and cost efficiency, it is clear that the framework of the energy trilemma's three objects remains centre stage, irrespective of whether this framework is referred to as a "trilemma" or an "imperative".

Achieving the government's aim to decarbonise the electricity grid and reduce emissions by 68% by 2030 will require unprecedented investment and targeted action. To that end, the government's upbeat reworking of the energy trilemma may serve a purpose, given the power of positivity in galvanising public support for a political cause. Clearly, engaging with the public on what decarbonisation means and why it should be a national priority will play a vital role in unblocking public opposition to the installation of critical infrastructure such as pylons and substations.

It is hard to see fault in the stated aims and ambitions of today's key players in energy. Indeed, our 2030 net zero targets seem achievable if these aims can be delivered. That said, rhetoric alone cannot upskill workers, deliver a nuclear programme or provide a £2.5 billion offshore wind budget. So the sector waits with bated breath to understand the substance behind the fanfare announcing the new energy kids on the block. Although, given the brevity of the Great British Energy Bill, it looks like we may be waiting a while longer.