Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 04 JUNE 2026

Infrastructure And Energy Spotlight – Spring / Summer 2026

Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Contributor
Travers Smith LLP

Travers Smith LLP

It is not just law at Travers Smith. We treat our clients’ business as our business, their dispute...

View firm profile
Explore more from Travers Smith LLP

This comprehensive infrastructure and energy spotlight examines the UK government's legislative agenda through the King's Speech, analyzing measures affecting renewable energy...

United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Author LinkedIn connections

In this edition, we look at infrastructure and energy measures in the King's Speech, how the UK is proposing to decouple gas and electricity prices, the latest state of play on data centres and the impact of conflict in the Middle East. We also discuss whether pre-development costs should get preferential tax treatment and VAT on electric vehicle charging, together with a range of other regulatory issues affecting the infrastructure and energy sectors. 

The King's Speech: implications for the infrastructure and energy sectors

With most of the media focussing on possible challenges to the Prime Minister, the King's Speech has had rather less attention than usual - but as we highlight below, a significant number of the measures have implications for the UK infrastructure and energy sectors. 

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Gate 2 Connection Offer Deadlines Updated: What Ofgem’s Decision Means For Energy Projects

Ofgem has approved a revised timetable for Gate 2 connection offers under the Gate 2 to Whole Queue process, extending key deadlines that may affect project financing, programme risk and contractual alignment. The decision provides clarity on the National Energy System Operator's licence obligations and introduces phased delivery milestones for energy projects progressing through the connections queue.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Article

“Pay To Stay”: Ofgem’s Plan To Cull The Data Centre Connection Queue

Ofgem's proposed data centre connection reforms introduce substantial upfront commitment fees ranging from £237,500 to £712,500 per MW and stringent queue management milestones for projects seeking grid connections. Will these measures successfully eliminate speculative projects while preserving viable data centre developments, or will they drive investment away from the UK entirely?
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

Futureproofing Data Centres: How To Navigate Grid Constraints And Alternative Power Strategies

The UK's rapid expansion of data centres to support its AI ambitions is creating an unprecedented energy challenge, with over 125 gigawatts of projects waiting for National Grid access while demand is expected to increase six-fold by 2035. As grid connection delays threaten to constrain development, operators are increasingly turning to alternative 'behind-the-meter' energy solutions that bypass traditional infrastructure bottlenecks.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Article

EU Nuclear: A €241 Billion Investment Cycle Takes Shape

10 March 2026 was a defining day for EU energy policy. The European Commission published its new strategy for nuclear, offering it a central place in the EU’s energy vision. Two key documents set out its approach: the Strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors in Europe (the EU SMR Strategy) and the final 8th Nuclear Illustrative Programme under Article 40 Euratom (the 8th PINC).
European UnionEnergy and Natural Resources
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Article

Scotland's Hydrogen Opportunity: Why Land, Infrastructure and Regulatory Certainty Matter

Scotland's hydrogen sector is advancing rapidly as developers and investors navigate the complex landscape of land rights, infrastructure requirements, and regulatory frameworks needed to achieve ambitious production targets. With 5GW targeted by 2030 and 25GW by 2045, the intersection of real estate, planning, and evolving EU standards will determine which projects successfully deliver low-carbon hydrogen production and export capabilities.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP
Article

Budget Tracker (2026)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?
United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

The EU Cyber Resilience Act's Vulnerability And Incident Reporting Requirements Are Now Live

The EU Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory vulnerability and incident reporting requirements for manufacturers of products with digital elements, effective September 2026. With tight 24-hour deadlines for initial reports and penalties reaching €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover, manufacturers must establish robust incident response procedures immediately.
United KingdomTechnology
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

Nearly Out Of PERG-atory – But Not Quite Yet: Good News As The FCA Finalises PERG 18 On Cryptoassets, But With Even More Legal Changes To Come

Cryptoasset firms face a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape as the FCA's authorisation gateway opens on 30 September 2026. With the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 laid before Parliament and the FCA's finalised PERG 18 guidance published within 24 hours, firms must navigate significant perimeter changes including new stablecoin payment exclusions.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

SFDR 2.0 – European Parliament Negotiating Position: The Stage Is Set For Trilogue

The European Parliament has published its negotiating position on SFDR 2.0, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council. With the asset management industry hoping for relief from the complexities of SFDR 1.0, the Parliament's proposals claim to simplify the regime while maintaining credibility of sustainability-related investments.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

What The UK's Tough New Rules On Late Payment Mean For Your Business

The UK Government is implementing sweeping reforms to late payment laws that will fundamentally change how businesses manage supplier payments. These changes include substantial fines for persistent late payers, mandatory statutory interest rates, and a prohibition on payment terms exceeding 60 days. With enforcement powers granted to the Small Business Commissioner and a new binding adjudication system...
United KingdomCorporate/Commercial Law
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

The Cyber Security And Resilience Bill: A New Era For Data Centre Regulation

The UK faces an average of four nationally significant cyber attacks per week, yet data centres—the backbone of the digital economy—have remained outside regulatory scope until now. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will fundamentally change this landscape, introducing mandatory incident reporting within 24 hours, substantial penalties for non-compliance, and a new regulatory framework overseen by Ofcom that applies to facilities exceeding specific power thresholds.
United KingdomTechnology
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

EU Agrees To Delay Key AI Act Compliance Deadlines

The European Union has reached a political agreement to significantly extend compliance deadlines for high-risk AI systems under the AI Act, with businesses now having until December 2027 or August 2028 depending on their category. The revised framework introduces separate timelines for different types of high-risk AI applications, narrows certain definitions, and provides regulatory relief for small and medium-sized companies while adding new prohibitions on non-consensual intimate content generation.
United KingdomTechnology
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP