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NESO CSNP Methodology Conditionally Approved

Ofgem has conditionally approved the National Energy System Operator's (NESO) Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) Methodology. The CSNP will provide an independent, coordinated, long-term plan for electricity, gas transmission, and hydrogen transport and storage networks in Great Britain. Ofgem assessed the Methodology against CSNP Guidance, ESO Licence Condition C17, and GSP Licence Condition C12, and approved it subject to two conditions requiring further development in limited areas.

Direction to NESO: CSNP Submission by September 2028, Publication by December 2028

Ofgem has issued a Direction to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) requiring submission of the first Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) by 15 September 2028 and publication by 15 December 2028. The original deadlines were 30 June 2027 for submission and 31 December 2027 for publication. Ofgem granted NESO's requested derogations from its ESO and GSO licences to allow these revised timelines, citing the need to align with the recently revised Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) timeline.

IGT165 Rejected - Independent Shrinkage Expert and Independent Shrinkage Charge

Ofgem has rejected modification proposal IGT165, which would have introduced an Independent Shrinkage Expert and Independent Shrinkage Charge to the IGT Uniform Network Code. The proposal was submitted by OVO Energy in September 2025 to incentivise emissions reductions on Independent Gas Transporter networks. Ofgem's decision concludes the modification assessment process without adopting the proposed changes.

REMIT Article 4 Threshold Concerns for Energy Traders

Ofgem has published a policy position identifying concerns with the use of fixed thresholds (particularly 100MW) for determining whether outage and availability information constitutes inside information under REMIT Article 4. The regulator states that threshold-based approaches may fail to account for prevailing market conditions, cumulative impact of multiple smaller outages, or aggregation of information held by individual market participants. Ofgem clarifies expectations for all market participants, including Offshore Transmission Owners (OFTOs), and encourages review and updating of internal compliance procedures.

Ofgem Rejects UNC0843 Independent Shrinkage Charge Modification

Ofgem has rejected modification proposal UNC0843, which sought to establish an Independent Shrinkage Charge and Independent Shrinkage Expert for Gas Distribution Networks. The proposal was submitted by OVO Energy in September 2025 with the aim of incentivizing emissions reductions on gas distribution networks. The Authority's decision means the modification will not be implemented.

Interconnection: Moving Towards a Strategically Planned Energy System

Ofgem published a blog post outlining the UK's energy interconnection strategy. The UK currently operates 10 interconnectors with 10.3 gigawatts of capacity connecting to seven neighbouring markets. These interconnectors returned over £200 million to consumers through the cap and floor regime in recent years. In the year to September 2025, interconnection enabled approximately 43 terawatt hours of electricity imports (around 13% of total supply) and 12 terawatt hours of exports.

Idaho Power Company 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan Approved

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued Order No. 37004 approving Idaho Power Company's 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan under the Wildfire Standard of Care Act (Idaho Code § 61-1801 et seq.). The WMP establishes measures for the electric corporation to prepare for and address wildfire risk and defines the corporation's duty to its members and the public. Under the approved WMP, Idaho Power gains a negligence presumption in wildfire-related lawsuits if the plan is reasonably implemented.

NRC Final Rule Amends Hearing Procedures for Nuclear Licensing Proceedings

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a final rule amending its rules of practice and procedure to increase flexibility in conducting mandatory hearings for nuclear facility licensing proceedings. The rule implements provisions of the ADVANCE Act of 2024 and Executive Order 14300, which directed NRC to streamline its regulatory processes. The effective date is May 15, 2026.

Urenco USA, Louisiana, EA for UF6 Transport Exemption at 10 wt% Enrichment

The NRC has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Louisiana Energy Services LLC (dba Urenco USA) regarding an exemption request under 10 CFR 71.12. The exemption would allow Urenco USA to use certified DN30 transportation packages (CoC No. 9362) for domestic transport of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) at enrichment levels greater than 5 but less than 10 weight percent U-235, exceeding the current 5 wt.% limit authorized under CoC No. 9362, Revision No. 5.

ACRS 735th Meeting: Draft Microreactor Rules and EO 14300 Changes

The NRC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) has scheduled its 735th meeting for May 6-8, 2026, to review draft rules on licensing requirements for microreactors and low-consequence reactors under 10 CFR Part 57. The Committee will also discuss implementation of Executive Order 14300 (May 23, 2025), which directs reduction of ACRS functions to statutory minimums and refocuses review on novel and noteworthy issues. Interested members of the public may participate remotely in open sessions.