Elexon has published the draft Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Governance Framework and are now seeking for feedback and comment from potential stakeholders and industry participants. The SSES Governance Framework sets out the enduring governance arrangements for smart secure electricity systems in Great Britain.
Elexon has now published the Bilateral Agreement and a Bilateral Agreement: Explanation of Cross References to BSC Provisions. We are therefore extending the invitation for feedback for a further two weeks, until Tuesday 31 March.
About the Governance Framework
What is the SSES Governance Framework?
The SSES Governance Framework sets out the enduring governance arrangements for smart secure electricity systems in Great Britain. It outlines how the technical and security requirements underpinning SSES will be maintained, updated and overseen. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the SSES Technical Governance Group and the SSES Security Governance Group. It also establishes the decision-making processes applicable to these groups.
What is the Bilateral Agreement?
The Governance Framework requires SSES participants to register with Elexon to participate in governance arrangements, including the group membership elections and change process. The Bilateral Agreement is a contract that must be signed by SSES participants who are not BSC Parties to enable their participation in the SSES arrangements.
What is the Bilateral Agreement: Explanation of Cross References to BSC Provisions?
To help stakeholders understand the BSC cross-references in the Bilateral Agreement, we have issued the Bilateral Agreement: Explanation of Cross References to BSC Provisions that explains the BSC cross-references.
Who will need to sign the Bilateral Agreement?
SSES participants who are not BSC Parties (such as certain load controllers, flexibility service providers, and Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) providers/manufacturers) who wish to participate in the SSES governance arrangements will be required to sign the SSES Bilateral Agreement.
Relevant documents
- Draft SSES Governance Framework document (Size: 678.71 KB)
- Summary of the Draft SSES Governance Framework (Size: 265.65 KB)
- Draft Bilateral Agreement pursuant to the SSES Governance Framework (Size: 119.47 KB)
- SSES Bilateral Agreement: Explanation of Cross References to BSC Provisions (Size: 116.84 KB)
About the Government consultation
The underlying policy position is set out in the Government’s SSES Enduring Governance consultation response.
Next steps
We will consider stakeholder feedback when finalising the Governance Framework with the DESNZ and intend to publish the final version in Spring 2026. Feedback will be considered where it relates to the clarity, workability and legal robustness of the Governance Framework.
Please note that comments on the underlying policy intent, which has already been set by DESNZ, are out of scope.
Catch up on our webinar
We held a webinar on the draft SSES Governance Framework on 26 February.
How to submit your feedback
To ensure the Governance Framework meets the Government’s policy intent and that the document is clear, we are inviting stakeholder feedback on the draft version. You can provide your feedback and comments using our online form.
Please note that all responses must be submitted by 17:00 on 31 March 2026. As this date has now passed the response form has been removed from this page.
Get involved
Load controllers, energy smart appliance manufacturers and flexibility service providers can now register to vote in the upcoming SSES Technical Governance Group and SSES Security Governance Group elections.
Help and support
If you have any questions, please raise your query using the Elexon Support enquiry service.