Open call for evidence

Gas system in transition: recovery of gas network costs during the transition

From:: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Published:: 22 October 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Summary

We're seeking evidence on how gas network and disconnection costs should be recovered as gas demand changes.

This call for evidence closes at
11:59pm on 23 December 2026

Call for evidence description

This call for evidence is inviting views and supporting evidence on the challenges associated with recovering gas network investment and disconnection costs as gas demand changes. It seeks evidence on how these costs may develop over time, the principles that should guide their allocation and recovery, and the implications of different approaches for consumers, investors, network operators and the wider energy system.

The call for evidence will help build the evidence base to inform future policy development. It does not propose specific solutions or indicate preferred policy outcomes at this stage.

It covers:

the recovery of historic investment costs associated with maintaining and operating the gas transmission and distribution networks
the recovery of costs associated with gas disconnections as consumers move away from the gas network
the principles that should guide future cost recovery, including affordability, fairness, an orderly transition, resilience and investability
potential approaches to recovering these costs, and their implications for consumers, investors and the wider energy system

We welcome evidence from across the gas and wider energy system, including:

consumers and consumer representatives
network operators
investors
energy suppliers
local authorities
regulators
academics
other interested parties

We committed to a programme of public engagement on the gas system’s transition in the June 2025 update to market. This call for evidence forms part of that wider programme of work.

Read our consultation privacy notice.

Documents