RECCo’s Draft Forward Work Plan for 2026–29 sets out a transformation agenda designed to modernise retail energy market services, strengthen governance, prepare for the Code Manager Licence, and support emerging flexibility markets. The plan balances continuity of today’s core services with investment in future‑ready digital and regulatory capabilities.

RECCo, established in 2019 as a not‑for‑profit body overseeing the Retail Energy Code (REC), is at a pivotal transition point. Government policy on clean power, consumer‑led flexibility, and Ofgem’s Strategic Direction Statement (SDS) are accelerating expectations on market governance. With original contracts nearing end‑of‑life and a Code Manager Licence imminent, RECCo is repositioning itself for a more accountable, digitally enabled future.

Four Strategic Priorities (2026–27 Focus)

1. Transition to Licensed Code Manager

RECCo will become the Licensed Code Manager, increasing its accountability and decision‑making responsibility.
Key elements:

Establish new governance (Stakeholder Advisory Forum, REC Design Authority).
Move from voting‑based change decisions to Code Manager‑led decisions, supported by transparent consultation and evidence‑based analysis.
Prepare for expanded Ofgem reporting and new KPIs.

2. Strengthening Digital & Operational Capability

A major modernisation programme will overhaul REC’s digital estate and services.
Planned for 2026:

Launch of a new REC Portal (UX‑driven, unified branding, improved navigation, search, and change visibility).
“Soft launch” May–July 2026; full go‑live September 2026.
Establish a scalable design, assurance and digital operating model to support rapid regulatory change.

3. Delivering Core Programmes Reliably

RECCo will continue stabilising and delivering existing market services including:

MHHS (Market‑wide Half‑Hourly Settlement) actions.
Tariff Interoperability Scheme.
Consumer Consent (data-sharing trust framework).
Inquiry Services modernisation (major transition to a dual‑fuel, resilient, future‑proofed platform).

Inquiry Services timeline:

Procurement: Spring 2026
Gas migration: July 2027
Electricity migration: July 2028

4. Supporting Consumer‑Led Flexibility

RECCo will play a system‑shaping role in emerging flexibility markets.

Planned actions:

Analyse market scenarios and retail market “gaps” for smart, interoperable flexibility.
Create a REC Flexibility Action Plan.
Deliver consumer‑facing enablers:
- Tariff Interoperability (standardised tariff data to support new services).
- Consumer Consent (trusted framework for using smart data).
Work with Ofgem, DESNZ and industry to align market rules and interoperability across data and device control ecosystems.

Key Programmes & Delivery Highlights

Digital & Systems Evolution

New REC Portal (Sept 2026).
Unified branding across REC/RECCo.
Modernised system architecture supporting scale, resilience, API‑based migration paths.

Performance Assurance Framework Redesign

REC PA strategy moves in‑house (from Sept 2026).
More outcome‑driven assessments, stronger oversight, and best‑practice sharing.

Consumer Consent Service

Shared trust framework for secure, permissioned consumer data sharing.
Final design Summer 2026; go‑live March 2027.
2028 includes expansion to additional sensitive data sets (e.g., PSR).

Tariff Interoperability

Standardised tariff data model.
Consultation completed; design refinement in 2026.
REC go‑live then nine‑month industry implementation window.

Financial Outlook (2026 Budget)

Headline budget: £66.6m

(14% increase vs expectation)

Drivers:

Staffing and capability uplift for Code Manager Licence.
Major digital and inquiry services modernisation.
Seven in‑flight programmes plus two new flexibility‑related initiatives.
Contingency allowance for CSS/DCC re‑procurement (~£5.7m pending final evidence).

Efficiency notes:

£7m underspend returned to industry in 2025.
Cost reductions achieved via contract renegotiation, targeted investment, and procurement strategy.

Consultation & Next Steps

Consultation window closes 5 February 2026.
Final budget published before 20 February 2026.
Budget‑specific webinar: 25 February 2026.
Final Forward Work Plan published late March 2026 following stakeholder response review.

Overall Positioning

RECCo is positioning itself for a more proactive, accountable, and digitally capable role at the centre of the UK retail energy market. Its 2026–29 plan is designed to:

Stabilise and modernise today’s services.
Build strong foundations for data‑driven, consumer‑led flexibility.
Ensure compliance with a strengthened regulatory environment.