Unlocking the Power of Flexibility: What the UK Government’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap Means for the Social Housing Sector

The UK Government has recently published its Clean Flexibility Roadmap, and it’s a big one. Packed with ambition, structure, and opportunity, this roadmap lays out a vision for how the UK will scale up its electricity flexibility capabilities, doubling or even tripling capacity by 2030, and increasing it eightfold by 2050.

For Sero and the social housing sector, working to decarbonise the grid and reduce energy bills, this is a promising step forward. But it’s also clear: there’s a lot of work ahead.

Sero’s Product Manager, Tom shares his thoughts on the roadmap and what it means for the sector.

What is “Clean Flexibility”?

The roadmap defines clean flexibility as the ability to shift electricity demand or supply while reducing emissions. It’s a broad umbrella that includes:

  • Consumer-led flexibility
  • Battery storage
  • Interconnection with neighboring countries
  • Long-duration electricity storage
  • Low-carbon dispatchable power

NESO’s (National Energy System Operator, an independent public body responsible for managing and planning the UK’s electricity and gas works) scenario modelling predicts that clean flexibility capacity will grow from 24GW today to between 51GW and 66GW by 2030, and up to 8x by 2050. This aligns with forecasts that UK electricity demand will double over the same period.

Below are some of the most exciting and relevant developments:

Empowering Consumers

At its heart, increasing clean flexibility means lower energy costs for all, underpinned by increasingly intelligent systems and components at all scales.

  • The Government plans to support energy smart appliances: everything from heat pumps and batteries to washing machines.
  • This will be underpinned by new consumer protections and cybersecurity standards that Ofgem aim to introduce via a licensing regime in 2027.
  • There’s a clear ambition to create opportunities across all consumer groups, including low-income and vulnerable households.
  • Participation in flexibility will remain voluntary, but the benefits: lower energy costs and greater control, will be available to all.
  • The roadmap acknowledges the rise of energy-as-a-service models and innovative customer rewards, a nod to the work that Sero and others in the sector are doing to make flexibility accessibly and appealing
Case Studies and Real-World Impact

These consumer benefits are already being proven, with more innovation underway. Examples include:

  • The NESO-led Crowdflex trial showed that financial incentives and automation tools can significantly boost consumer-led flexibility – with a third of trial participants even continuing with behaviour adjustments after financial benefits declined
  • The Coventry Affordability Trial saved fuel-poor households £250–£300 annually through battery use, time-of-use tariffs, and energy efficiency.
  • Similarly, flexibility aggregator Axle Energy reports average consumer savings of £100 per year when participating in flexibility services, with potential earnings exceeding £250 for some households (page 57 of the report).
  • Ofgem are leading a trial to assess how residents respond to lower standing charges by reducing energy consumption during peak times.
Structural Changes

There is still much work to do, but structures are being established that aim to create focus and accelerate progress.

  • A new Electricity System Flexibility division will be created within DESNZ, alongside a Flexibility Commissioner to drive progress.
  • Key players include Ofgem, NESO, Elexon, and of course, the Government.
  • An annual roadmap forum will track progress and keep stakeholders aligned.
Market Reforms

Some of the market reforms that this structure aims to lead to include:

  • Price cap reforms: not hindering flexibility progress, while maintaining consumer protections.
  • Enabling rebates for home batteries and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) systems for final consumption charges.
  • Updated EPCs to reflect a home’s ability to participate in flexibility markets.
  • Mandatory smart functionality and interoperability standards for home devices.
  • “Consumer-led flexibility ready” device labelling to raise awareness.
What’s Next?

A good example of how fast the sector is progressing is Ofgem’s approval of code modification P483. Raised by Axle, it allows all domestic consumers using COP11 certified devices to participate in flexibility markets, without the need for half-hourly settled meters. What this means is that flexibility growth can move even faster with lower barriers to access.

This activity is highlighted in the roadmap. The fact it has already been achieved, less than a month after the roadmap was published and ahead of schedule, is a clear indication of how quickly flexibility opportunities are evolving.

In Summary:
The roadmap is an important milestone. It brings clarity, ambition, and a clear direction for the flexibility sector. For Sero, it’s a signal that our work is not only relevant, it’s essential. As the Roadmap’s projected growth in the sector unfolds, we’ll be working hard help shape the future of clean, flexible energy, and unlock these opportunities for social landlords and residents as quickly and simply as possible.