Energy Policy Overview

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) set out its main priorities for this Parliament in its Single departmental plan: 2015 to 2020, updated in February 2016.

Its main objects are to:

1. Ensure the UK has a secure and resilient energy system
2. Keep energy bills as low as possible for households and businesses
3. Secure ambitious international action on climate change and reduce carbon emissions cost-effectively at home
4. Manage the UK’s energy legacy safely and responsibly

The key mechanisms and drivers to deliver this are described in this briefing. They include policy on:

• Low carbon economy
• Electricity Market Reform (EMR)
• New Nuclear
• The oil and gas sector
• Retail markets and consumer affordability

This briefing also covers progress on decarbonisation in the UK and this Government’s key announcements on energy policy.