Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This subtopic brings together content on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is relevant to the energy industry and energy lawyers.

Impact of coronavirus on the Energy Industry

The coronavirus pandemic, which broke out in early 2020, caused a number of key areas of concern for the energy industry and energy lawyers. Our content in this subtopic contains guidance and analysis relating to these issues; in particular, the potential contractual implications and wider impact on the market. While some of these issues are more historic in nature, much of the content will continue to be relevant in certain future circumstances, such as the outbreak of another pandemic or equivalent globally disruptive set of events.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and contractual obligations—checklist sets out some of the key issues to consider when a party is unable to comply with its contractual obligations due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), including force majeure
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Practice Note: Force Majeure in oil and gas contracts provides an overview of the main considerations which arise when drafting

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Latest Energy News

DESNZ announces approval for Eni's £2bn Liverpool Bay carbon capture project

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that Eni has finalised a £2bn deal for the Liverpool Bay Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project spanning north Wales and north west England. The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has awarded three carbon storage permits to Eni for the project. The development forms part of the government's £21.7bn commitment to establish a CCS industry, following the East Coast Cluster project approved in December 2024. The project aims to create 2,000 construction jobs and will establish infrastructure to decarbonise industries including waste management, hydrogen and cement production. Additionally, the government has announced planning reforms intended to streamline approval processes for clean power projects including solar, wind and nuclear installations.

DESNZ announces £300m offshore wind investment

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced £300m in funding through Great British Energy (GB Energy) for offshore wind supply chains. The investment, brought forward ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, forms part of GB Energy's £8.3bn total funding allocation for the current Parliament. The funding aims to support manufacturing facilities for components including floating offshore platforms and cables, complementing £43bn in private investments pledged since July 2024. GB Energy expects to open applications by the end of 2025, with detailed eligibility criteria to be published. The announcement precedes the Future of Energy Security summit, a two-day event hosted by the UK government and International Energy Agency bringing together global leaders to address clean energy transition challenges.

Ofgem publishes consultation decision on revised special conditions for transmission licences

Ofgem has published its decision following a statutory consultation outlining proposals to amend the special conditions (SpC) in Transmission Owners’ electricity transmission licences as part of the onshore electricity transmission Early Competition policy. The document details the rationale behind introducing two new special licence conditions, SpC 9.20 and 9.21, and modifying two existing conditions, SpC 1.1 and 9.14. It also introduces three new associated documents designed to enhance information exchange and conflict management within the framework.

DESNZ launches consultation on revised energy infrastructure National Policy Statements

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on revised National Policy Statements (NPS) for energy infrastructure, running from 24 April to 29 May 2025. The consultation covers updates to three NPSs: the overarching energy statement (EN-1), renewable energy infrastructure (EN-3), and electricity networks infrastructure (EN-5). Key changes include: alignment with Clean Power 2030 targets, new guidance for onshore wind following its reintroduction to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, requirements for offshore wind wake effects assessment, and endorsement of the Centralised Strategic Network Plan. The statements provide the legal framework for planning decisions on major energy infrastructure in England and Wales.