Industry urges coordinated strategy to boost UK smart energy sector

19 June 2025

The UK has a good opportunity to become a global leader in smart energy manufacturing, according to industry body BEAMA, which is calling on the government to work with manufacturers and the wider supply chain to grow the UK market to deliver more joined up strategy for decarbonising UK energy, heating and transport infrastructure.

The message was delivered at a parliamentary event marking the relaunch of BEAMA’s Smart Buildings Group (SBG), where manufacturers and MPs gathered to discuss the future of energy infrastructure and the role of smart technology in reducing emissions.

The reception, hosted by Bill Esterson MP, chair of the energy, security and net zero committee, was used to launch a new publication: The smart energy supply chain: giving consumers access to clean power. The document is intended to help policymakers understand how smart technologies, such as electric heating systems, EV chargers, and home energy management tools, can support a more flexible, efficient energy system while lowering costs and emissions.

BEAMA, which represents a sector worth £14 billion, argues that the UK needs a more joined-up approach across energy, housing, and transport policy to give industry the confidence to invest and innovate. It warned that without clearer direction from government, opportunities for growth, skilled employment and cost-effective decarbonisation could be lost.

The SBG, a forum within BEAMA, brings together UK manufacturers developing technologies that support connected, low-carbon homes. Its members play a role in enabling government targets, including Clean Power by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.

At the event, BEAMA also proposed the formation of a permanent forum linking government, manufacturers, installers and consumer groups to address policy gaps and improve coordination across the sector. The aim is to ensure that the benefits of smart energy, both to consumers and the wider grid, are fully realised through strategic planning and industry engagement.

Manufacturers in attendance showcased examples of the latest smart energy innovations already being deployed across UK homes, highlighting the need for sustained support to scale these technologies nationally.

Keynote speeches were provided by Swetta Coopamah, BEAMA’s Head of Smart Energy Systems, Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, Bill Esterson MP, Chair of the ESNZ Committee, Duncan Stone, Deputy Director Smart Electricity Systems, and Pete Noyce, Policy Manager, and Dr Andrew Molineux, Director of Engineering & Integrations, at Mercury Consortium (Kraken).

The reception was sponsored by Mercury Consortium/Kraken, SMS Energy, LCP Delta, Secure Meters Limited, Mixergy, and Dimplex UK.

Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA:

“At every stage of the energy transition, the customer needs to be placed first. Smart energy is above all about empowering consumers with choice to make the most out of system flexibility This is the shared objective we should be working towards collaboratively across industry and government. At BEAMA, we are ready to support policymakers navigate the intertwinement of critical net zero policies.”

Swetta Coopamah, BEAMA’s Head of Smart Energy Systems:

“The relaunch of the Smart Building Group is a real cause for celebration. By bringing innovators across the supply chain together, this forum will help harmonise different strands of the energy transition into one coherent call to government to turbocharge growth in the smart energy market.”