Energy Deadlines and Legislation in 2026: Time to Prepare

Now that 2026 is here, many businesses are focused on the year ahead.

There are budgets to organise, marketing campaigns to arrange, and of course, energy legislation you need to prepare for.

To help you stay ahead, we’ve highlighted the key energy deadlines and regulatory changes to keep on your radar over the next few months. These will help you plan with confidence and avoid any last-minute surprises.

CCA Scheme Launch: 1 January 2026

The updated Climate Change Agreement (CCA) Scheme, which provides significant discounts on the Climate Change Levy (CCL) in exchange for achieving energy targets, will launch at the start of the year.

The new scheme will run from January 2026 to March 2033. There are some changes from the existing scheme, including:

• Facility-level targets rather than group targets. This means each individual site must meet its own energy targets when previously, businesses could group sites together
• Higher buy-out fees if a business doesn’t meet energy saving targets
• More regular and detailed reporting

Existing applicants will have already applied. New applicants will be able to join the scheme between 1 January and 31 August, through their industry sector association.

End of NCC Scheme Q4 Window: 31 January 2026

The Network Charging Compensation (NCC) Scheme offers Energy Intensive Industries (EII), businesses which consume large amounts of energy, relief on their electricity bills. From April 2026, the discount will increase from 60% to 90%, making it even more worthwhile to apply.

Eligible businesses must apply every quarter. Q4 opened on 31 December 2025 and will close on 31 January 2026.

To apply for the NCC Scheme, you must have a valid EII Exemption Certificate in place.

Find out more about the NCC and other reform measures.

End of Workplace Charging Scheme: 31 March 2026

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), a government grant for supplying and installing electric vehicle charge points, will end on 31 March 2026.

This grant covers up to 75% of the cost of supplying and installing EV charge points, capped at £350 per socket, and Eligible businesses can claim up to 40 charge points across all sites.

It’s a great way to offer electric charging to staff and visitors, at a fraction of the typical cost.

The WCS is open to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations. There are separate schemes for state-funded schools and educational institutions and landlords, which also close on the same date.

TNUoS Charges Increase: April 2026

Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges, which cover the maintenance and repair of the National Grid’s transmission system, are set to rise in April 2026.

TNUoS charges are factored into your standing charge, which means it’s likely that your electricity costs will increase, potentially significantly if you use a lot of energy.

If you’re on a fixed-term contract, it’s worth checking the fine print. Some suppliers lock TNUoS charges for the duration of the contract, while others treat them as ‘pass-through’, meaning they can increase them during the course of the contract. We can help you see if switching contracts can reduce your costs.

Alternatively, we can carry out a kVA analysis to see if you’re paying the right amount for your Available Supply Capacity (ASC). By being placed in a lower band, you may be able to reduce the amount of TNUoS you pay.

ESOS Phase 3 Annual Progress Update: 5 December 2026

If your business qualified under Phase 3 of ESOS, you need to submit your second and final annual progress update by 5 December 2026.

This progress update, like the one you will have submitted in 2025, identifies whether you implemented each measure in your action plan and, if so, how much energy you saved.

The Government recommends that you submit your report close to this deadline where possible, so you don’t risk leaving out any energy savings that are eligible for inclusion.

ESOS Phase 4 Qualification: 31 December 2026

With ESOS Phase 3 coming to an end, ESOS Phase 4 is on the horizon. Eligible businesses will need to qualify by 31 December 2026.

Like Phase 3, if a business meets one of the following conditions on 31 December:

• It employs 250 or more people
• It has an annual turnover in excess of £44 million and an annual balance sheet total in excess of £38 million

It qualifies for Phase 4.

If you do qualify, start to gather any relevant data now, so you’re ready to submit your action plan and subsequent reports.

Other Things You May Need to Be Aware of

The Market-Wide Half-Hourly settlement (MHHS) rollout will be ongoing through2026, with a final migration date of May 2027.

Under MHHS, all electricity meters will move to half-hourly readings. This means that if your electricity meter isn’t equipped to do this, your energy supplier will move you to a new meter.

Your energy supplier will get in touch when it’s time to upgrade, if they haven’t already. However, if you want a specific type of meter, you can take action now.

If you opt for a dedicated half-hourly meter, you will also need a Meter Operator Agent (MOA, formerly MOP) contract in place, which covers the supply, maintenance, and repair of your meter.

With MOP contracts, you have two options. You can either appoint your own meter operator or ask your energy supplier to appoint one for you. Get in touch with our team for help to review or set up your MOA contract.

Keep reading the Tritility blog for news about other deadlines and legislation changes.

Not Sure Which Changes Will Affect Your Business? Get in Touch

The energy market is constantly evolving, and we understand that this can be incredibly frustrating when you run a business. One moment you’re on top of all the current legislation, and the next, the landscape has completely changed.

If you’re not sure where you stand, we’re here to help. Our expert team will identify which changes will affect you, help you prepare reports and paperwork, and most importantly, ensure you stay compliant.

This means peace of mind and that you can focus on what you do best – running your business.

Get in touch with us today, and let’s get you ready for everything 2026 has in store.