UK Government Seeks Input on Energy Data for AI Development
March 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM GMT+8
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has opened a call for evidence on energy datasets that are hard to access for AI projects. The goal is straightforward: identify which data, if made more usable, could improve performance and operational efficiency across the national energy network. This is a fact-finding exercise, with no promise of policy changes at this stage.
Who should respond
The department is prioritising input from AI developers working with energy data. It also welcomes views from dataset owners and stakeholders across energy, decarbonisation, digitalisation, and data.
What the department wants to learn
- Which energy datasets are currently difficult to access, and why (legal, technical, commercial, or security constraints).
- The specific fields, granularity, and update frequency AI systems need to deliver useful outcomes.
- Preferred formats, APIs, metadata, and quality thresholds that reduce integration effort.
- High-value use cases that could improve grid stability, forecasting, asset health, flexibility markets, and consumer outcomes.
- Privacy, security, and governance measures required to make data safe to use at scale.
- Feasible alternatives where direct access is not possible (e.g., aggregated, anonymised, or synthetic datasets).
- Costs, benefits, and any expected timelines to make the data usable.
Sensitive data and safe alternatives
The call recognises that some data cannot be disclosed or may require customer consent. Submissions can propose alternatives that still support research and model training, such as synthetic datasets that reflect real-world patterns without exposing personal or commercially sensitive information. Clearly outline the trade-offs and the safeguards you would put in place.
Why this matters for government teams
Better access to the right energy data can reduce system costs, improve demand forecasting, and support faster integration of low-carbon technologies. It can also help target interventions, protect consumers, and inform market design-while maintaining security and privacy. Clear evidence now lowers risk and shortens delivery later.
How to make a high-value submission
- State the outcome: what operational improvement your AI use case delivers and how it would be measured.
- List the exact datasets and fields needed, with preferred structures and refresh rates.
- Explain current blockers (policy, licensing, technical) and the minimal changes that would unlock progress.
- Propose a safe data access model: roles, permissions, retention, audit, and incident response.
- Offer a privacy plan: aggregation levels, de-identification, consent pathways, and synthetic options where relevant.
- Include a lightweight pilot plan: timeline, partners, and a simple success checklist.
Submission process
Responses should be sent to the department via the dedicated email address listed in the official notice. For details and the current contact channel, check the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero page on GOV.UK.
Helpful resources for policy teams
For structured upskilling on data access, privacy, and responsible deployment in the public sector, see the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers. For broader context on public-sector AI practice, explore AI for Government.
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