2026 Autumn Budget: What It Means for Energy Management and Net Zero

Market Insight Summary

TEAM Energy has published a new market briefing examining what the UK Government’s 2026 Autumn Budget means for businesses managing energy costs and working towards net zero. The Budget brings energy affordability, security and decarbonisation closer together, with measures ranging from targeted support for energy-intensive manufacturers to longer-term reform of electricity markets, grid infrastructure and low-carbon investment.

Written by Graham Paul, Service Delivery Director at TEAM Energy, the briefing considers how the announcements could affect business energy planning and why energy efficiency, reliable consumption data and closer alignment between energy and carbon strategies remain important as the reforms develop.

Comment

“The Autumn Budget reinforces how closely energy costs, security and net zero are now connected. While some businesses will benefit from targeted support, effective energy management remains important for organisations looking to control costs and plan future investment. Understanding consumption, improving data quality and aligning energy decisions with carbon reduction plans will help businesses respond more effectively as these reforms take shape.”

Graham Paul, Service Delivery Director, TEAM Energy

Key Takeaways

• More than 10,000 energy-intensive manufacturing businesses are set to receive electricity bill discounts of 20% to 25% from April 2027 through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, including a back payment covering 2026-27.
• A new Cost Control Framework is intended to control policy-related energy costs, with the framework due to be established at the 2027 Spending Review.
• The Government is consulting on wholesale Contracts for Difference as part of efforts to reduce electricity prices' exposure to volatile international gas markets.
• A £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund will support renewable and low-carbon infrastructure, although detailed eligibility and deployment arrangements have yet to be confirmed.

Read the full Market Briefing on the TEAM Energy website - 2026 Autumn Budget: What It Means for Energy Management and Net Zero.

Ends

Editors notes

About TEAM

TEAM is an energy and sustainability consultancy. It helps organisations with large energy estates reduce consumption and carbon emissions to save money and meet commercial and compliance targets on their journey to net zero.

Founded in 1985, it has a long history of helping customers navigate changing definitions and certification standards. TEAM Energy is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), with employees having a direct stake in its customers’ success.