An Open Energy Steering Group was convened on Tuesday 17 February 2026. The Steering Group comprises a wide range of industry leaders and subject matter experts spanning the commercial, regulatory and government landscapes. The Steering Group plays a critical role in Open Energy’s development, providing a sector perspective that ensures that Open Energy is designed for and with the energy industry.

Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026 11:00-12:30 GMT

Location: In person & online

Co-Chairs: Sara Vaughan & Gavin Starks

Secretariat: IB1

Meeting Aims 

  1. Support for the use case for 2026
  2. Support the governance process
  3. Connect us with new potential members

Summary:

  • It was agreed that:
    • The 2026 roadmap will move from engagement and prioritisation early in the year to implementation activity later in the year.
    • Remaining organisations will be asked to complete outstanding terms of reference signatures, where that is possible.
  • It was noted that:
    • An update was given on activities since the last SG, including:
      • Government and Ofgem activity is increasingly focused on ensuring greater visibility of distributed and flexible energy assets.
      • Elexon has gone live with its flexibility market facilitator role, and the new Flexibility Commissioner has been announced.
      • NESO and XOSERVE have announced a strategic partnership on consolidation and sharing of gas data which will help facilitate and streamline whole-system planning.
      • Ofgem published its Forward Workplan for 2026/7.
      • RECCO published the design consultation on its Consumer Consent solution.
      • The intended publication of the DESNZ/Ofgem Digitalisation Vision in Q1 2026 was confirmed.
    • The Smart Data Council has resumed and is developing UK guidance for smart data schemes.
    • The Perseus programme has broad participation and commercial offerings are expected from 2026, with a £5-10bn SME opportunity by 2030.
    • Feedback to the Open Data access controls paper has been positive across the sector.
    • The 2026 priority use cases will focus on UC04 – cross-sector storm response or UC05 – industrial and commercial flexibility.
  • It was discussed that:
    • Practical implementation and real use cases may be more persuasive to policymakers than theoretical proposals.
    • A Community Interest Company (CIC) based SPV funding model could support multi-year funding and participation from multiple network operators but, given IB1’s non-profit, public benefit status, there was not a strong case to change to such a model.

Next meeting: Thursday 7 May 2026 14:30-16:00 BST

Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat. 

These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.