Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

UK approves North Sea Jackdaw gas field after emissions review

Disputes Uplift's two-day estimate of Jackdaw's winter contribution

The UK approved production from the Jackdaw gas field off north-east Scotland on October 21, 2026, after a court-ordered review of emissions from burning its gas. First gas had not been publicly confirmed by November 9, despite expectations it would flow by the end of October.

Updated 2 days ago

Britain approves Sea Link cable between Suffolk and Kent

Built World

Granted consent

National Grid won development consent on 30 October for Sea Link, a 2-gigawatt cable running about 138 kilometres under the sea between Suffolk and Kent. Construction is due to start in early 2027 and finish by 2031.

Updated Nov 2

UK approves 800MW Great North Road solar and battery park in Nottinghamshire

Built World

Granted development consent

UK ministers granted development consent for the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park on October 27, clearing an 800MW solar array and 880MWh battery store near Newark, Nottinghamshire. Developer Elements Green says the plant will generate about 1.1TWh a year, enough for roughly 400,000 homes.

Updated Oct 31

UK launches no- and low-interest loans for home solar panels and heat pumps

Money Moves

Running the loan scheme while absorbing a £1bn cut to the wider Warm Homes Plan

Households across the UK can now borrow £7,500 to £35,000 at zero or low interest to install a heat pump, solar panels or a battery, with no upfront cash. Ten lenders began offering the government-backed Warm Homes loans on 27 October, and the discounts are steep: E.ON Next customers can get 0% APR through HomeServe Finance, and The Money Co-op lends at 2.7%.

Updated Oct 30

UK ends subsidies for small-scale biomass plants, putting poultry-litter power stations at risk

Rule Changes

As of September 2026: Finalized decision to end small-scale biomass subsidies

Energy Minister Michael Shanks confirmed on September 1 that the government will not offer successor subsidies for small-scale biomass generators as Renewables Obligation (RO) support expires. The category covers plants under 100 megawatts, including dedicated biomass, anaerobic digestion, sewage gas, and energy-from-waste facilities; support phases out from 2027 through 2037.

Updated Sep 9

UK opens solar power to millions of renters and flat-dwellers for the first time

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: Leading plug-in solar regulation and Clean Power 2030 delivery

Nearly five million households in England and Wales live in leasehold flats where rooftop solar has never been a realistic option. On March 15, 2026, the UK government announced plug-in solar panels will be sold in supermarkets, letting renters and flat-dwellers generate electricity on a balcony or in a garden by connecting to a wall socket.

Updated May 30