Opinion
Smart electricity system success depends on industry alignment, warns BEAMA
Following the conclusion of the Energy Smart Appliances Regulations (ESA) Consultation, as part of DESNZ’s Smart and Secure Electricity Systems Programme (SSES), BEAMA is calling for targeted adjustments to the Government’s proposed reforms to minimise costs for UK consumers and drive economic growth.
T
he sheer volume of feedback received from BEAMA members indicates these regulations cannot be implemented in their current form. In its 28 pages of technical feedback to the DESNZ consultation – spanning EV charging, heat, storage and smart energy technologies – BEAMA has urged the Government to take on board lessons learned from the introduction of similar regulations for EV charge points in 2022. Otherwise they risk facing the same challenges to implementation they found but for all energy smart appliances in scope like electric heating appliances and battery energy storage systems that are essential to the success of Clean Power 2030.
EV charging solutions expert Paul Lee Pschierer- Barnfather commented, “the SSES regulations are an important milestone on the road to decarbonising the UK economy. It’s essential we get this right, and I’m grateful to BEAMA for their
eff orts to help equipment manufacturers deliver on this vision.”
BEAMA has highlighted a number of policy pit falls that must be addressed to ensure these regulations are a success:
Aligned EV charging regulations Currently, two sets of EV Smart Charge Point regulations are scheduled to be implemented within 18 months of each other, risking customer confusion and driving up costs for manufacturers. By aligning implementation of the SCP regulations to come into force at the same time, the Government can minimise costs and disruption to UK EV drivers.
Minimised randomised EV charging delays
To prevent all charge points from beginning an EV charge at the same time – potentially putting strain on the local energy system – the reformed
regulations incorporate an up to 10-minute delay. While the regulations should acknowledge that consumer behaviour does not always consider network stability, they should ensure that the randomised delay mechanism is only utilised where there is a genuine risk of consumer herding damaging the local energy system to prevent undermining consumer comfort and confi dence.
Removing randomised delays for home heating
We do not support the proposal to include randomised delays into domestic smart heating devices. This proposal is impractical for these always-on devices and puts consumers at unnecessary risk during extreme temperatures when demand for heating or cooling is likely to be at its peak.
Realistic implementation
The proposed 18-month compliance window for implementing new heating, EV and storage product regulations is not deliverable; risking higher costs, reduced innovation and delayed investment in UK manufacturing. A more measured implementation period would align with product development cycles of 24–32 months. We recommend DESNZ implementing a two-year voluntary period before mandating compliance to minimise risks of infl ating electrical product prices for UK consumers or slowing economic growth.
These recommended policy adjustments have been developed in consultation with BEAMA members, including a diverse range of the UK’s leading EV charging, heating and cooling and smart energy devices.
30 | electrical wholesalerApril 2026
ewnews.co.uk
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