Why should technology leaders care about energy legislation?
The UK’s journey toward energy independence and net zero is now inseparable from the nation’s digital strategy. The newly introduced Great British Energy Act isn’t just about wind farms and solar panels, it’s about the digital infrastructure that will power a greener, smarter economy.
For IT decision-makers, this presents a rare opportunity: to shape and support the systems underpinning clean growth, from cloud and cybersecurity to smart grids and AI-powered optimisation.
What Is the Great British Energy Act?
Unveiled as a flagship component of the current government’s long-term industrial strategy, the Great British Energy Act 2025 establishes a publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy (GBE), charged with driving the UK’s clean energy expansion.
Key provisions include:
– Major public investment into renewables, including offshore wind, green hydrogen, and community solar.
– Creation of regional energy hubs, intended to decentralise and democratise energy production.
– A mandate for digital innovation, with an emphasis on data, grid intelligence, and cyber resilience.
Source: The Times – Starmer unveils industrial strategy
Where Public Sector Meets Digital Infrastructure
Clean energy systems increasingly depend on digital infrastructure. The Act’s push toward smart, localised energy supply creates significant demand for:
– Connected IoT and sensor networks for real-time grid management.
– Cloud-native platforms to aggregate and analyse power consumption data.
– AI and machine learning to predict demand, manage load balancing, and automate fault response.
– Edge computing to enable faster, decentralised control of assets like EV chargers and microgrids.
Local councils, utility partners, and public sector bodies will now be prioritising investments in intelligent infrastructure, and they’ll need strategic partners who understand both the tech and the policy landscape.
Opportunities for IT & Managed Services Providers
For digital service providers, the Great British Energy Act opens the door to multi-year transformation projects across local government, utilities, and public-private energy ventures.
Potential areas of involvement include:
– Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and compliance with evolving standards like NIS2.
– IT modernisation for local authorities preparing for energy network upgrades.
– Data strategy consulting to support environmental reporting and smart meter integration.
– Procurement and delivery of connectivity solutions, particularly in underserved or semi-rural areas.
These projects won’t just focus on new tech, they’ll be about aligning technology roadmaps with national policy goals.
Why It Matters to the Private Sector, Too
Although the Act is public-sector driven, its impacts will ripple into the wider business landscape. SMEs and private enterprises stand to benefit from:
– Regional funding schemes for green tech adoption and R&D.
– Integration of clean energy systems into their operations (e.g. solar, battery, smart building systems).
– Potential partnerships in energy clusters that fuse clean tech, AI, and data services.
Organisations with a strong digital foundation will be best placed to take advantage of these opportunities and to contribute meaningfully to the UK’s net-zero targets.
Security and Compliance in the Clean Energy Age
With the expansion of what counts as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), organisations across sectors may soon face new cyber responsibilities. This includes:
– Real-time monitoring of physical-digital assets.
– Adopting zero-trust network models.
– Preparing for the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will reinforce baseline protections for public-sector and regulated organisations.
As energy becomes more digitised, resilience and security must be treated as strategic assets, not just compliance checkboxes.
Final Thoughts: Aligning IT Strategy with Climate Policy
The Great British Energy Act is more than a climate policy; it’s a call to action for the UK’s digital ecosystem.
Technology leaders who understand how to integrate clean energy priorities into their IT, cloud, and cybersecurity strategies will be in high demand. Whether you serve public bodies, SMEs, or enterprise clients, the future of energy will touch every part of your infrastructure conversations.
Now’s the time to act.
Ready to Help You Lead the Transition
At 4th Platform, we help organisations bridge the gap between sustainability goals and digital transformation.
Whether you’re a local authority preparing for smart grid integration, a utilities partner modernising infrastructure, or an SME seeking to future-proof your energy strategy, we can support your journey with:
– Expert-led IT strategy and infrastructure design
– Secure cloud and connectivity solutions
– Cybersecurity aligned with evolving compliance frameworks
Get in touch today to explore how we can help you align technology with the UK’s clean energy future.
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