Energy Act 2016

The Energy Act 2016 formally establishes the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), sets its regulatory powers, and regulates onshore wind power. It supersedes the previous versions of the Energy Act. The Act was implemented progressively through four commencement instruments between 2016 and 2017, bringing its provisions on the Oil and Gas Authority, oil and gas regulation and onshore wind into force in stages. A new strategy for the OGA was laid before parliament in December 2020 and came into force in February 2021. According to the new strategy the OGA has a new dal mandate to both “secure that the maximum value of economically recoverable petroleum is recovered from the strata beneath relevant UK waters” and, in doing so, “to take appropriate steps to assist the Secretary of State in meeting the net zero target.” The Act further amends Electricity Act 1989 to add provisions related to closure of onshore power stations and to use of Northern Ireland certificates (Part 5 of the Energy Act 2016).