UK government sets out cybersecurity, licensing roadmap for smart secure electricity systems

The U.K. government has published its official response to the 2024 consultation on the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme, addressing proposals on energy smart appliances, licensing, and tariff data interoperability aimed at enabling consumer-led flexibility. The document adopts consumer-led flexibility (CLF) by building the right set of technical standards and requirements, ensuring robust cybersecurity protections, and giving consumers the confidence to jump into the smart market. Furthermore, through the licence, organizations will be required to have the necessary cybersecurity, financial, and management arrangements in place, and take account of grid stability considerations.

Later this year, the government will launch consultations on several key areas, including: draft regulations for Phase 1 ESA (Energy Smart Appliances) device standards; Minimum Viable Product (MVP) tariff data standards within the Retail Energy Code (REC), along with associated changes to Supply Standard Licence Conditions (SLC); enduring governance arrangements; and draft licensing regulations with the first tranche of licence conditions.

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