Capacity Market Rules: change proposals 2026

Details of outcome

This document sets out our decisions on changes to the Capacity Market Rules (the “Rules”) pursuant to Regulation 77 of the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 (the “Regulations”). These decisions follow our Statutory Consultation of Capacity Market Rules change proposals CP382, CP384, CP385, CP386, CP387, CP389, CP390, CP392, CP393, CP394, CP396, CP397, and CP398 issued on April 2026. 
 
These Rule changes will come into effect when laid before Parliament, ahead of the 2026 Prequalification Window. Appendix 1 sets out our changes to the Rules.

Read the full outcome

Original consultation

Consultation description

The Capacity Market is a government scheme to make sure the UK has enough electricity generating capacity to meet demand, especially during periods of high pressure on the grid.

It is governed primarily by the Energy Act 2013, alongside the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 and Capacity Market Rules 2014 (updated multiple times since, most recently in 2025).

Our statutory consultation is on the following 13 Capacity Market rule change proposals:

• CP382 – Independent Technical Expert Definition Updates & Report Templates
• CP384 – Rule 6.10.1 Termination Reasons (g) & (ga)
• CP385 – Update to Load following Capacity Obligation calculation inputs
• CP386 – Alignment of Metering Test Processes, DSR Delivery Periods, and Terminology
• CP387 – Metering Assessment Deadlines
• CP389 – Connection Capacity Review
• CP390 – Simplifying Reporting & Monitoring Provisions
• CP392 – Amendments to enable Asset Metering and ensure Delivery Assurance
• CP393 – Full Review of Exhibits
• CP394 – 2026 Conditional Prequalification for assets that have applied for a new or modified connection date
• CP396 – Total Project Spend review, changes beyond DESNZ ‘housekeeping’
• CP397 – Temporary FCM Grace Period
• CP398 – Enabling Capacity Providers to utilise their own Meter Operator Agent

For each change proposal, we explain the policy background, giving an overview of the proposed solution and its implications, summarise the CMAG discussion, and provide our minded-to position.

We are seeking feedback from stakeholders on the proposed rule changes. Each proposal section ends with questions for stakeholders who wish to contribute their views.

Who should respond

We welcome views from people with an interest in the Capacity Market, particularly Capacity Market participants. We also invite responses from other interested stakeholders.