King Charles sets out vision for energy-secure Britain

An Energy Independence Bill, commitment to nuclear development and a focus on scaling up homegrown renewable energy generation are some of the key announcements delivered by King Charles III to Parliament.

These measures, among a raft of others announced by the monarch on 13 May, is aimed at driving the UK’s economy forward, with some analysts praising especially the introduction of the Energy Independence Bill.

Energy security, the King said in his speech, is a national security priority more so  given the geopolitical conflicts impacting the trade and flow of gas and fuel.

“My Ministers believe that energy independence must be a long-term goal of national security and that the nation’s energy security requires long-term investment and reform, as demonstrated by recent events in the Middle East,” said King Charles.

“Increased production of clean British energy will help to ensure that enemies of the United Kingdom cannot attack the economic security of the British people. My Ministers will therefore introduce an Energy Independence Bill to scale-up homegrown renewable energy and protect living standards for the long-term [Energy Independence Bill].

“My Ministers will also take forward recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review and encourage a new era of British nuclear energy generation [Nuclear Regulation Bill].”

The UK government previously said that the Energy Independence Bill would “give government more power to tackle the affordability crisis and speed up the delivery of clean energy technologies and vital grid infrastructure.”

Reaction to the King's Speech

In response to the King’s Speech, Sachin Vibhute, Technical Consultant at LG said that the scaling of renewable energy is moving from a far-off ambition to a national priority. 

“Continued government support for 'homegrown’ energy sources was evident. The introduction of the Energy Independence Bill signals real intent to accelerate the transition to low-carbon homes and greater energy independence. 

“However, the sector remains hindered by an acute shortage of skilled workers. The UK urgently needs more specialised training and upskilling, to meet the rising demand for green technologies like heat pumps and solar installations,” said Vibhute.

Mark Neller, Energy Leader for Arup in the UK, India, Middle East and Africa, said his company welcomed the government’s focus on energy security and grid reform through the Energy Independence Bill, particularly at a time when network constraints risk slowing progress towards the UK’s Clean Power Mission.

“The real test, however, will be whether the detail of the legislation provides the long-term policy certainty and enables the coordinated approach needed to accelerate grid modernisation and infrastructure delivery at pace,” said Neller.

Bindu Pokkyarath, Director of Economics at Pegasus Group pointed out that a consistent thread running through the King’s Speech was the idea that economic security is rooted in place performance.

“Across multiple Bills, the government links growth not simply to spending, but to how effectively infrastructure, regulation, and housing work together at a local level.

“Regulators are being asked to support growth more explicitly, alongside their core duties. Water, energy and transport are being treated as enablers of housing and economic development, not just utilities. Local and mayoral leadership is given a stronger role, including new powers to raise and reinvest revenue locally.

“For Combined Authorities, councils and delivery bodies, the Speech is clearly encouraging to bring forward joined‑up investment propositions - where housing, infrastructure and economic outcomes are planned together rather than sequentially. The question now for places is not whether growth is supported in principle, but whether delivery structures, funding models and governance are ready to respond at pace.”

Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA said it is positive to see the government’s commitment from the King’s Speech to implementing the policy measures announced in the past year that could benefit BEAMA members. 

“These include acceleration of grid deployment, improving domestic energy efficiency, launching a Warm Homes Agency, facilitating energy flexibility and improving cybersecurity.”  

'Support' mooted for energy consumers

A  briefing document on the Bill, published by the House of Lords on 7 May, said government had said it intends to publish an ‘energy independence bill’, which will provide a framework for supporting its commitment to transition the UK energy market away from fossil fuels towards alternative forms of energy, including nuclear and renewables.

“Ministers have also said they would introduce measures to support energy consumers, including reforms to the remit and powers of the energy regulator, Ofgem. For example, the energy independence bill is expected to include measures to expand the remit of Ofgem to become the regulator of third-party intermediaries in the energy market, such as energy brokers.”

In March 2026, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the government was working on contingency plans to support households with their energy bills.

She said this support would be targeted towards “those who need it most”, ruling out the possibility of a universal approach similar to the energy price guarantee introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As part of the same announcement, the chancellor said the government would introduce policies to support the expansion of nuclear energy.

Sources of electricity generation

The government has set a target of at least 95% of Great Britain’s power generation to be produced from “clean sources” by 2030. This includes power generated from wind, solar, bioenergy, nuclear and hydrogen, as well as gas which has been offset by carbon capture and storage.

In 2025, nuclear power contributed 11.8% of total electricity generation in Great Britain.

Wind, solar, hydro and biomass produced 44% while gas contributed 26.8%. The majority of Great Britain’s gas (79%) entered the UK from UK and Norwegian gas fields.

On 21 April 2026, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband gave a speech in which he argued the conflict in the Middle East proved the UK should move away from fossil fuels in order to ensure the UK’s long term energy security.

He said the government would reduce the “bureaucratic obstacles” to alternative forms of energy generation including the expansion of nuclear energy generation in the UK.

He also announced the government would introduce measures intended to break the link between electricity and gas prices through changes to the electricity generator levy, a charge paid by wholesale electricity companies.