United Kingdom: Utilities

The UK Government is introducing new legislation to regulate load control activity in Great Britain's electricity system, creating a licensing regime for entities that manage consumer-led flexibility through smart appliances. This regulatory framework aims to support the integration of 12 GW of demand flexibility by 2030 while protecting domestic and small business consumers who shift electricity use to off-peak times.

Ofgem's proposed data centre connection reforms introduce substantial upfront commitment fees ranging from £237,500 to £712,500 per MW and stringent queue management milestones for projects seeking grid connections. Will these measures successfully eliminate speculative projects while preserving viable data centre developments, or will they drive investment away from the UK entirely?

The UK data centre sector is experiencing unprecedented capital investment and rapid technological evolution, but faces critical infrastructure challenges that are fundamentally reshaping development strategies. From grid connection bottlenecks pushing timelines to 2036 to the emergence of on-site power generation as essential infrastructure, the sector presents both extraordinary opportunities and uncommon complexity for real estate professionals navigating this transformed landscape.

How did strategic mergers and acquisitions shape the Financial Services, Energy & Utilities, and Retail & Consumer sectors in 2024? And what are the expectations for these sectors moving into 2025?

After enduring years of hard market conditions, the (re) insurance market cycle is starting to turn. (Re)insurance markets are responding to a triad of factors...

It is almost universally acknowledged that in Great Britain (as in many other European jurisdictions) grid connection delays are now the biggest barrier to the country achieving net-zero.

The UK has a rare opportunity to be a global leader in energy storage and the development of smart behind the meter solutions for energy use are central to this.

After a long legislative process which began in Brussels over 10 years ago the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 (Regulations) have finally come into force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On 17 March the long-awaited text of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 was finally published and laid before Parliament.