Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

Role

Responsible for ensuring the UK has secure, clean, and affordable energy. Leads on clean power 2030 mission, net zero policy, energy security, and offshore wind. Houses the Office for Clean Energy Jobs. Publishes energy NPSs (including EN-1 2025).

Strategies owned

• clean-power-2030 — Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and all annexes
• climate-biodiversity-actions-2025 — Co-owned with Defra

Outcomes accountable for

• clean-power-2030-outcome — 95% clean electricity by 2030; carbon intensity <50 gCO₂e/kWh
• economic-growth-gdp — Clean Energy Industries (IS-8); £40bn/year investment 2025-2030

Key commitments

• desnz-clean-power-95pct-2030
• desnz-offshore-wind-43-50gw-2030, desnz-onshore-wind-27-29gw-2030, desnz-solar-45-47gw-2030

Key bodies

• Office for Clean Energy Jobs (workforce coordination with DfE, Skills England, devolved)
• Clean Power 2030 Unit (governance; quarterly monitoring)
• National Energy System Operator (NESO) — coordinates grid connection queue reform

Relationships

• Works with MHCLG on planning reform (energy NSIPs)
• Works with Defra on climate-nature integration
• Works with DBT on Clean Energy Industries sector plan
• Works with DfE/Skills England on clean energy workforce

Tensions

• clean-power-marine-environment — Offshore wind expansion vs. MPA obligations (Defra/Natural England)
• skills-shortage-cross-sector — Clean energy workforce competes with defence, construction, and digital sectors
• planning-timelines-2030-targets — 2030 deadline extremely tight; planning reform implementation still early