SSES governance framework: Background
Published 22 May 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-secure-electricity-systems-sses-enduring-governance-governance-framework/sses-governance-framework-background
The Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme is designed to create the technical and regulatory frameworks to enable the untapped flexibility from small scale devices, such as domestic electric vehicle charge points and heat pumps to make the electricity system work more efficiently.
To make sure the technical and security requirements for energy smart appliances and flexibility services continue to meet the evolving needs of industry and government’s policy objectives, we will establish industry-led governance arrangements to manage these considerations and recommend any changes to government and regulators in light of emerging risks and market developments.
Our government response to the SSES enduring governance consultation confirmed that Elexon will be responsible for SSES enduring governance. At the same time, we modified the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) to extend Elexon’s remit to establish and administer the SSES Technical and Security Governance Groups as subcommittees of the BSC Panel should Secretary of State give such a direction. This modification included that detailed arrangements would be set out in a ‘SSES Governance Framework’.
This direction incorporates this ‘SSES Governance Framework’ as a document under the Balancing and Settlement Code. The Framework sets out the detailed roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes of the SSES Technical Governance Group and the SSES Security Governance Group which will be established as BSC Panel Subcommittees.
Following this Direction, each SSES Governance Group will be established from a date determined by the Secretary of State.