Ofgem publishes Strategic Direction Statement on energy codes
Published · Updated
What happened
Ofgem published a Strategic Direction Statement for energy codes on 15 September 2026. The document sets out how industry codes may need to evolve to reflect government policy, market reform and wider changes across the energy system.
Why it matters
Energy codes set technical and commercial rules used by network operators, suppliers and market participants. A new direction statement can influence how quickly code bodies and regulated firms bring forward rule changes tied to power-market reform, network access and system operation.
Ofgem said on 15 September 2026 that it had published a Strategic Direction Statement for energy codes, setting out how code governance may need to change in response to government policy and developments across the energy sector. The statement matters because energy codes determine the detailed operational rules for networks, markets and system access, and those rules sit underneath wider electricity-market reform, grid investment and system-security plans. For ministers and regulators, this is a live governance step rather than a general policy speech, because it can shape the pace and sequencing of code changes needed for near-term reform delivery.
Watch for
Ofgem publication of a covering note, consultation timetable or implementation guidance for code managers by 2026-09-19 DESNZ statement specifying priority reforms the Strategic Direction Statement is intended to support by 2026-09-19 National Energy System Operator acknowledgement of code-change implications for market or connections reform by 2026-09-19 Elexon or another code manager notice opening a modification or workgroup process linked to the new statement by 2026-09-19
Sources
- Ofgem · ofgem.gov.uk
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