Great British Energy

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: Not disclosed
Published schedule: Not disclosed – 30/10/2026
NISTA delivery confidence: AMBER
Senior responsible owner: Emma Floyd

What the project is for

The aim of the GBE set up programme is to create GBE GovCo, a publicly owned energy company that will drive the deployment of clean energy, enhance energy independence, and create jobs across the UK. This aim will deliver on the Government’s Mission to establish GBE as the mechanism for delivery of the key outcomes of the GBE Programme as set out in the Labour Party 2024 UK General Election manifesto. Namely, ability to strategically invest in and own clean energy projects, foster collaboration with key stakeholders, and support local and community energy initiatives. The desired outcome of this programme is the creation of a fully functioning, independent and publicly owned energy company called Great British Energy (GBE).

Departmental delivery commentary

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

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Benefits

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