UK Energy Research Centre

In 2025, the Government introduced a range of policies to advance its Mission to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower

In the Review of Energy Policy, we assess the latest developments in our sector.

Read the Review in full: ukerc.ac.uk/publication/...

UKERC Newsletter A record-breaking amount of new offshore wind capacity has been secured at the UK’s latest auction for renewable energy projects. UKERC's Rob Gross and Callum MacIver are quoted.

In this week's newsletter:

Apply to our Whole Systems Networking Fund.

Robert Gross and @cmaciver11.bsky.social talk to Carbon Brief.

Read our latest blog on consumer flexibility.

Plus jobs, funding and events.
mailchi.mp/b89c836f60bc...

Today's Energy News:

Expansion of UK’s offshore wind farm capacity is a powerful force for good

Championing sustainability ‘could help UK outpace rivals in global AI race’

MPs ask Serious Fraud Office to investigate UK home insulation sector

Read more: mailchi.mp/e339ebc1859a...

Outlook 2026: China’s ‘electrostate’ vision While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think

"While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think."

UKERC's Michael Bradshaw has written for Petroleum Economist about China's energy future.
pemedianetwork.com/petroleum-ec...

Today's Energy News:

Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows🏭

UK homes to get £15bn for solar and green tech to cut energy bills☀️

Renewables cover 11% of the energy used for transport🚋

Read more here: mailchi.mp/a9091f4ea6d3...

Did you miss our training session on Grant Writing?

Then you can watch it in full on our website.

Featuring Caroline Kuzemko, Mehreen Saleem Gul, Jessica Bays, and Oluwatobi Folasade Balogun.
ukerc.ac.uk/multimedia/u...

Today's Energy Headlines:

UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time📰

Heat pump sector gets one voice🏠

Inside the UK’s much-delayed plan to slash energy bills📉

Read more here: mailchi.mp/c922ab28cf7e...

Today's Energy Headlines:

UK walks the offshore wind price tightrope💷

Transition sparks global jobs boom🧑‍🏭

The Sizewell C grants worth thousands to homeowners⚛️

Read them all and subscribe: mailchi.mp/c79b2de7f375...

Q&A: What UK’s record auction for offshore wind means for bills and clean power by 2030 - Carbon Brief A record-breaking amount of new offshore wind capacity has been secured at the UK’s latest auction for renewable energy projects.

A record-breaking amount of offshore wind has been secured at the UK’s latest auction for renewable energy projects.

But what does it mean for bills & Clean Power 2030?

Read this @carbonbrief.org Q&A featuring UKERC's Rob Gross & @cmaciver11.bsky.social.
www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-uks-...

Today's Energy Headlines:

What UK’s record auction for offshore wind means for bills and clean power by 2030

Record renewables auction supports 7,000 jobs and £3bn investment

Trade Shocks Could Wipe Out 90,000 Green Jobs in UK, Study Finds

Read more: mailchi.mp/0905c6f04ebe...

In our newsletter:

There are two weeks to apply for our Whole Systems Networking Fund!

Watch the full recording of our grant writing training session.

Read Mike Bradshaw's article on China's 'Electrostate' Vision in Petroleum Economist.

Read it here: mailchi.mp/353dc629a874...

Today's Energy Headlines:

Will Great Britain’s offshore wind subsidy auction mean lower energy bills?

Offshore wind sector jubilant after record-breaking UK auction

BP to take hit of up to $5bn on green energy as it refocuses on fossil fuels

Read more: mailchi.mp/a8b9995f57e6...

Today's Energy Headlines:

UK secures record supply of offshore wind projects🌬️

Scientists identify major geothermal energy source beneath Manchester city centre🔥

Scottish Renewables welcomes £93m offshore cash⚡️

Read them all here: mailchi.mp/900774038d31...

We’re delighted to announce that UKERC Director Rob Gross has been appointed to the new Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission.

The Commission brings together experts to support the delivery of the Clean Power 2030 mission. @chrisstark.bsky.social
ukerc.ac.uk/news/directo...

New blog for @ukerc.bsky.social on research priorities for industrial consumer-led flexibility.

There’s a growing number of research and policy streams in this space - definitely an area to watch in 2026.

Today's Energy News:

Record wind power production slashes British imports🌬️

Solar developers urged to target 'poorer-quality' farmland wherever possible☀️

Q&A: “False” climate solutions help keep fossil fuel firms in business🛢️

Read more here: mailchi.mp/fe6bb0e56521...

As the UK moves towards a decarbonised electricity system, industrial consumer-led flexibility (CLF) is emerging as a key, yet poorly understood, component of the transition.

Read about the research priorities needed to make CLF a reality. @imogenrattle.bsky.social
ukerc.ac.uk/news/industr...

Today's Energy News:

Outlook 2026: China’s ‘electrostate’ vision🔋

Government watchdog urges joined up overhaul of environmental laws👩‍⚖️

Q&A: What Trump’s US exit from UNFCCC and IPCC could mean for climate action 🇺🇳

Read them all here: mailchi.mp/18a611307ed5...

The Public Engagement Observatory contributes to UK Government participation plan The UKERC Public Engagement Observatory has played a significant role, alongside other academics and...

The UKERC Public Engagement Observatory has played a significant role in the UK Government’s long-awaited climate and nature public participation plan: ‘Energising Britain: Your voice in our Clean Energy Superpower Mission’.
@ukercengage.bsky.social
ukerc-observatory.ac.uk/article/the-...

Today's Energy News:

Analysis: World’s biggest historic polluter – the US – is pulling out of UN climate treaty🇺🇳

UK government announces £18 million electric HGV funding🚛

Charging point lottery for EV drivers🚗

Read more here: mailchi.mp/0935b411f347...

In this week's newsletter:

Robert Gross appointed to the Clean Power Advisory Commission.

Read ourlatest blog on the challenges around consumer-led flexibility.

UKERC's Public Engagement Observatory contributes to new Government plan.

Read it all: mailchi.mp/090423469552...

Today's Energy News:

Trump to pull US out of UN climate convention and climate science body🇺🇳

WEI urges renewables focus for Irish EU presidency⚡️

UK government delays decision on Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm🌬️

Read more here: mailchi.mp/83cd90e72b44...

One week to go!

There are still spaces to join us in Birmingham for our EDI in Energy Research Event.

Join us on January 14 for a deep dive into how the principles of EDI can be applied in Energy Research.

Find out more and register for free: ukerc.ac.uk/events/edi-i...

Today's Energy News:

What the UK must do to avoid more 'Hornsea 4 moments' in 2026⚡️

Research backs social energy tariff as part of urgent fuel poverty reforms🏘️

Gas power stations carry the load as temperatures tumble🔥

Read more here: mailchi.mp/69ae5ef9755c...

Building energy resilience in an uncertain world Cutting demand is emerging as one of the most powerful and overlooked options for strengthening energy security

Energy security isn’t just about supply. ⚡

New @financialtimes.com report featuring Dr Marie Claire Brisbois on why energy demand-side policies are key to resilience, reduced imports & stronger communities.

#UCLGeography #EnergyPolicy #EnergySecurity @edrc-uk.bsky.social @ukerc.bsky.social

Today's Energy News:

Great Britain sets new record for renewable energy planning approvals🤝

Smart charging essential in UK as electricity prices up🔌

Biomass production unsustainable for industry energy🍃

Read more here: mailchi.mp/42a9fc79d162...

ECR Net Zero Conference 2026 This event brings together emerging academics to share cutting-edge research and build collaborative networks.

Registration is now open for the ECR NetZero Conference 2026🌍

Join early career researchers from across the UK for two days of insight, collaboration and innovation on the path to net zero.

📍 Birmingham Conference & Events Centre
📅9-10 March 2026
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecr-net-ze...

Today's Energy Headlines:

UK renewables enjoy record year in 2025 – but gas power still rises

CorPower Ocean to lead €30m EU project to scale wave energy in the UK

Ministers may cut green tech mandate from new homes regulations in England

Read more: mailchi.mp/0f71ec33720c...

Data Centres and Energy: is Generative AI Creating More Problems Than it can Imagine? In this blog, Magnus Jamieson reflects on the growth of data centres and their impact on the electricity system and...

It's well known how that data centres could prove a large driver of energy demand in the coming years.

Magnus Jamieson explores just how much energy may be used, and how it may impact our electricity system, in our latest blog.
ukerc.ac.uk/news/data-ce...

Webinar: The Potential Role for Biomass as a Long-duration Store of Energy In this webinar, Mike Colechin and Keelan Colechin from Cultivate Innovation took a deep dive into the findings and...

@cultivateinnov.bsky.social, Supergen Bioenergy Hub & UKERC have recently launched a new joint report on the potential role for biomass as a long-duration store of energy.

The report's authors recently joined us for a webinar to explore their key findings. Watch it here.
ukerc.ac.uk/multimedia/w...