Great British Energy

Rating: Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Amber. This reflects significant progress made in establishing the organisational, governance and delivery frameworks required for GBE to move towards operational independence and the closure of the set-up programme. The Programme has received CST approval for the ALB set-up Full Business Case, enabling both DESNZ and GBE to proceed with FY26/27 set-up spend. On 4 March, the programme received the Subsidy Advice Unit’s (SAU) final referral report on the Subsidy Control Assessment for GBE’s 2026-2029 activity. The SAU provided a favourable assessment, confirming that the policy objective, the rationale for using a subsidy, and the necessity of the scheme have been clearly articulated. The Aberdeen HQ remains on track to open later in 2026, and recruitment is progressing across all levels following approval of their workforce and senior pay case, and an interim leadership team in place. The first tranche of the permanent Non-Executive Director (NED) appointments is underway. GBE has made significant progress with senior recruitment, with a Local Managing Director (MD) identified and a Strategy Director appointed. Interviews for an onshore and offshore wind MD took place in May. GBE has also agreed its workforce pay case and launched a significant recruitment campaign to stabilise its workforce and increase its presence in Aberdeen. This has been supported by a recruitment event held in Aberdeen on 3 June. Across the programme, GBE has made its first supply chain investment - a £40 million equity investment in ITM Power. It has also published the Local Power Plan together with DESNZ, setting out a clear vision to transform the UK’s local and community energy sector, and made its first investment in 100MW Pentland Offshore Wind Farm alongside the National Wealth Fund and Scottish National Investment Bank. Although the programme delivery confidence assessment remains Amber, risks continue to be actively managed. The programme remains on track to implement the Sponsorship Assurance Framework and achieve closure of the set-up programme. The GBE-DESNZ Framework Document was approved and published on May 12, and their first Business Plan has been approved by DESNZ Ministers. There is a clear plan for further business case development and approval and this is being implemented with NISTA & HMT.

Schedule: Exempt under Section 22 - Information intended for future publication

Cost: Exempt under Section 22 - Information intended for future publication

Source: NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26 (data)