Energy and national security - the good, the bad, and the regulatory

The following table gives a high-level overview of how the FDI regimes covered in this article have interacted with the energy sector to date. While there are broad similarities (e.g. energy sector transactions are subject to mandatory screening across all regimes), there are also important differences – unlike the position in the UK, investments as low as 10% or even 5% may be reviewable in the EU jurisdictions. An important common thread across all regimes, is that governments have demonstrated a robust willingness to intervene in the energy sector to protect national security and national interest. This looks set to continue.

*Lowest level of investment at which a mandatory filing may be required absent other rights (e.g. board rights)

Energy sector developments in the UK

In the UK, the energy sector has been the subject of wider regulatory reform to facilitate the development of projects of national priority. For example, the National Energy System Operator has identified 80 transmission network projects that would be required to achieve the UK’s goal of having a decarbonised power system by 2030 (“UK Clean Power Target”). This envisages growth across the range of power generation technologies, including renewables and nuclear. Notably, in order to respond to the challenge of intermittent weather-dependent renewables technology (i.e., solar and wind), a five-fold ramp-up in battery and storage capacity is expected to be required.

The regulatory agenda in respect of the electricity market in the UK is geared towards:

• achieving a better integrated system that anticipates demand shifts in different locations and ensures that both existing capacity and planning for new power projects align with that demand; and
• the UK Clean Power Target.

One key aspect of this agenda is pricing on the wholesale electricity market. The existing pricing model is based on uniform, wholesale electricity pricing which applies nationwide. Although recently there has been some debate among market actors and experts about shifting towards zonal pricing which would vary according to local factors such as demand and transmission cost, the UK government confirmed in July that it was committed to maintaining a single, national wholesale price. The government will now shift its focus to other aspects of pricing reform, including in relation to the Transmission Network Use of System charges, which will be reformed to incentivise the optimal location of new power projects.

Earlier in the year, Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, also implemented its “TM04+” reforms to change the way that new power generation projects are approved for grid connection. With the grid connection queue currently stretching into the 2030s, the new regime would allow Ofgem to prioritise connections for projects that are more likely to progress and align with the UK’s strategic priorities. These changes will be supplemented by further powers to manage the connections queue under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which also seeks to streamline the UK’s planning process as a whole.

A further feature of the UK energy debate is a renewed focus on nuclear energy, with recent decisions on funding for Sizewell C and the approval of “small modular reactors”. In addition to this, the UK and the US have signed a series of deals which are expected to boost the nuclear sector in both countries. This includes streamlining of approvals and mutual recognition of standards, alongside the announcement of a suite of deals which will provide increased market access on both sides.

However, it is worth noting that, as the graph below illustrates, despite the undisputed importance of renewable energy sources and nuclear energy, traditional oil & gas remains a key source of energy for the UK and therefore a significant area of focus for government.

For further information on the wider legal developments in the UK energy sector, please see our Future of Energy Hub here.

‘Foreign’ Direct Investment in the UK

The UK government’s latest Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 (“Industrial Strategy”), explicitly framed economic security as a core component of national security, marking a significant development in policy emphasis. The Industrial Strategy also identified clean energy as one of the eight frontier sectors critical to the UK’s long-term prosperity and resilience and underscored the need for secure, sustainable, and sovereign energy capabilities. This policy direction shows the emphasis placed by government on protecting strategic energy assets and supply chains.

A key tool in the government’s toolbox in this respect is the investment screening regime established by the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (“NSIA”). The regime applies to qualifying investments in entities and assets, with mandatory notification required for transactions relating to specified sensitive sectors, including energy and civil nuclear. Importantly it can also screen acquisitions and investments made by UK-based businesses.

In particular, the regime covers investments in upstream oil and gas facilities, onshore processing, transportation and/or distribution of gas, onshore and offshore generation, storage, aggregation, transmission and/or distribution of electricity, liquefied natural gas import/export facilities as well as entities involved in the supply of crude oil-based fuels to UK consumers.

Under plans to refine the definitions of the sensitive sectors, which are currently the subject of government consultation, multi-purpose interconnectors will be included in the scope of the regime and a large cumulative capacity threshold based on the parties’ combined capacity will be added in relation to electricity generation. The definition of an aggregator will also be amended to be more closely aligned with that used by Ofgem.

The government, through the Investment Security Unit (or ISU) within the Cabinet Office, has broad powers to review transactions and, if necessary, impose conditions or block transactions that may pose a risk to national security, through what are known as Final Orders. These Final Orders are a valuable source of insight into the government’s concerns and treatment of energy transactions to date:

• Range of Investors: Final Orders have been issued in several energy transactions. While some of the investors in these transactions were linked to China and Russia, Final Orders have also been imposed in relation to US and European investors, demonstrating that the government’s sensitivity in relation to energy is not confined by strict geopolitical lines.
• National Security Concerns: Based on publicly available information, the key national security concern appears to be access to information relating to crucial energy infrastructure assets (particularly the electricity grid which may provide access to details on when there is high demand and low capacity). This suggests that a likely concern for the government is the ability of a malign actor to unilaterally ‘switch off’ the power. Investments into assets located proximate to areas sensitive for national security have also attracted government scrutiny.
• Imposed Conditions: Notably, all Final Orders in the energy sector have been conditional clearances – none has resulted in an outright prohibition. Conditions have mostly focused on restricting the sharing of information between the target and the investor, restricting the investor’s ability to appoint key staff and/or requiring the appointment of a government observer, committing to the continuation of supply of products or services and requiring permission to appoint power offtake operators.
• Lack of Prohibitions: The lack of outright prohibitions in the energy sector may suggest a pragmatic approach by the government, balancing the mitigation of national security risks with encouraging investment to meet the ambitious climate objectives. However, the relatively low number of energy-related Final Orders may also reflect a degree of self-regulation, with parties choosing not to proceed with transactions likely to attract intense scrutiny.

All this illustrates that understanding the NSIA regime is essential when planning transactions in the UK energy sector. Early legal risk assessment and strategic engagement with government can help address concerns and mitigate delays. The evolving nature of the regime, including through the ongoing consultation to refine sector definitions and reduce regulatory burdens, underscores the importance of staying informed.

Other regulatory considerations

In addition to national security considerations at the time of investment, businesses in the energy sector remain subject to close scrutiny through both sectoral regulation and broader frameworks which aim to promote fair competition and value for money for customers in the UK. Under the UK’s domestic subsidy control regime established under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, the provision of financial assistance by public authorities to enterprises (similar to the provision of assistance amounting to State Aid in the European Union), including those operating in the energy sector, is carefully reviewed. Subsidies must comply with a set of statutory principles designed to ensure that they are targeted, proportionate, and do not unduly distort competition or investment within the UK. Specific guidance applies to energy and environmental subsidies, requiring public authorities to assess the necessity, effectiveness, and potential market impact of proposed support measures. In parallel, public procurement in the energy sector is subject to the Procurement Act 2023, which mandates transparent and competitive tendering processes for certain contracts as well as the obligation on public authorities to consider excluding suppliers if there are national security concerns.

Energy sector developments in France

In July 2025, the French government announced the forthcoming publication of the long-awaited Third Multiannual Energy Plan (“MEP”) which represents the French energy roadmap for the next ten years. Despite potential delays associated with the 2026 State Budget, it seems clear that the MEP will prioritise commissioning new nuclear power plants and ambitiously expanding renewables to reduce fossil fuel reliance.

These objectives require significant growth in decarbonised energy generation, and in the capacity of the transmission and distribution networks, which are currently operated under a form of monopoly, something which significantly limits private grid investment.

French state-owned utility EDF’s nuclear fleet – comprising 57 reactors with over 61 GW capacity – meets around 70% of France’s electricity demand. The next MEP is expected to confirm the construction of new EPR2-technology nuclear plants and support the promotion of small modular reactors.

It is also expected that the increasing use of renewable energy will continue. According to the French energy regulator (Commission de régulation de l’énergie), government subsidies for onshore and offshore wind, solar, and biogas are projected to reach a record €9 billion next year, after almost doubling in 2025. Ambitious MEP targets include 120 GW by 2030 and up to 190 GW by 2035. Offshore wind capacity is set to reach 18 GW by 2035 in the next MEP, leveraging France’s significant offshore wind potential.

We anticipate that France’s competitive electricity prices and low-carbon generation will continue to attract significant foreign investment in energy-intensive sectors such as AI, data centres, and giga-factories for batteries.

Foreign Direct Investment in France

As can be seen above, the French energy sector is highly strategic and, before investing in France, foreign investors need to be aware that the French FDI regime is broad and covers acquisitions (including in some circumstances minority stakes) of French companies in strategic sectors that go beyond defence and security.

The French Monetary and Financial Code classifies investments subject to FDI into three categories, depending on the French target’s activities:

1. Activities sensitive by their nature: Primarily – but not exclusively – the defence and security sectors, as well as adjacent activities that raise national security concerns. Activities sensitive by nature trigger filings irrespective of any materiality test. In practice, energy should not fall within this first category.
2. Essential infrastructure, goods or services: This category relates to strategic activities that are essential to the integrity, continuity and security of sectors including, among many others, energy. Most investments in energy, for instance investments in wind farms, solar farms or other types of power plants, would typically be captured by this category. However, contrary to the first category, this second category is subject to materiality thresholds meaning not all acquisitions or investments in the sector need to be notified.

The materiality test is case-specific and inherently political, considering elements such as the type of customers (including operators of vital importance), applications and use cases of the products, know-how and systems/data, the hazardous/critical nature of certain products, or the target’s market position and the existence of any alternatives to its service/product.

In the context of energy transactions, important factors to consider are production capacity, local market share, the types of energy, the existence of alternative solutions with similar types of energy locally, and the impact on grid resilience or energy mix (in particular, location of production facilities can be important as overseas territories will be treated with caution).

The value of the transaction or the French target’s turnover are not, on their own, criteria which trigger a notification obligation but can be relevant in some cases. For instance, a very high value of transaction despite low revenues could indicate that the target owns a critical technology (see below).

3. Critical technologies and dual-use goods/technologies: Concerning R&D activities, critical technologies are listed in a ministerial decree and include the following:

• Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, semiconductors, quantum technologies, energy storage, biotechnologies, low-carbon energy production, and photonics.
• R&D activities relating to critical technologies, or to dual-use goods/technologies, fall within the FDI regime if their outputs are likely to be implemented in any of the activities sensitive by nature or considered as strategic (i.e., in the second category).
• R&D activities cover early-stage R&D, even before industrialisation, based on plausible future applications of the research.

In the context of energy investments, energy storage and low carbon energy production would be the main R&D activities captured under this heading by the French FDI regime.

In view of the above, energy investments would typically fall within in the second and third categories that require case-specific assessments. It is highly recommended to notify cases that would be deemed borderline, particularly in a politically sensitive sector such as energy.

Similarly to other European FDI regimes (but particularly common in France), approvals can be granted subject to conditions designed to mitigate any identified risks. Conditions that have been imposed to date include the following:

• Ensuring the continuity and security, on national territory, of activities considered sensitive for national interests (e.g., to guarantee the maintenance of the target’s activity in France).
• Ensuring the maintenance of knowledge and know-how of the target, and to prevent their capture by foreign entities (e.g., to require certain patents to be held by a French entity and future patents to be filed in priority in France).
• Adapting the internal organizational arrangements and governance of the target (e.g. establishment of an internal procedure for obtaining State approval for certain strategic decisions).
• As part of the implementation of the commitments, provisions regarding the reporting of their monitoring to the authorities will also be put in place.

In the past three years there have been only six prohibition decisions under the French FDI regime across all sectors. In relation to the energy sector, in 2023 the Ministry of the Economy vetoed a proposed US acquisition of two French subsidiaries of a Canadian manufacturer and supplier of valves – which were supplied to French customers, operating in particular in the nuclear sector. While the valves were used in nuclear power plants, they were also installed on nuclear submarines – this played a key role in the decision and underlines the sensitivity of the wider nuclear sector in France.

By contrast, more than half of the authorisations granted in 2024 (excluding transactions deemed outside the scope of the FDI regime) were made conditional. Nuclear aside, this type of conditional approval can be considered more routine for acquisitions in the energy sector that involve elements of critical technology.

Energy sector developments in Germany

In Germany, the ‘trilemma’ of balancing decarbonisation, energy security (after years of heavy reliance on Russian gas), and affordability has become a defining challenge with far-reaching implications for investors and policymakers alike.

Against this backdrop, several regulatory developments and trends are currently shaping the German energy market.

• Renewable Energy Expansion: Following the 2023 nuclear phase-out, Germany has placed renewable energy at the core of its strategy to resolve the trilemma. While solar deployment targets are being achieved, the expansion of wind energy is progressing more slowly. Key regulatory levers include priority grid access and remuneration schemes for renewable generation, accelerated planning and permitting procedures, and financial participation of local municipalities.
• Diversification of Energy Sources: To reduce dependence on single-source imports, Germany has launched and continues to expand LNG terminals, supported by government subsidies to offset higher import costs—though actual import volumes remain modest to date. At the same time, the updated National Hydrogen Strategy focuses on building a nationwide hydrogen pipeline network and scaling hydrogen production facilities. A key milestone was the Federal Network Agency’s approval of the hydrogen core grid in October 2024, enabling long-distance grid operators to commence construction. This was preceded by the European Commission’s approval of related State Aid in June 2024, providing a critical financial framework for the rollout. Transitional solutions include the construction of new gas-fired power plants or retrofitting existing ones to be hydrogen-ready. Furthermore, diversification efforts extend to critical supply chains, with an emphasis on reducing reliance on any single foreign country for key components.
• Electricity Grid Expansion and Security: The grid is being expanded to accommodate rising demand and the volatility of renewables. Battery Energy Storage Systems (or BESS) are becoming central to this transition, with strong legislative support and streamlined permitting processes fuelling significant momentum among project developers and financiers. In parallel, grid resilience and security are being reinforced, in line with EU critical infrastructure requirements under the NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555), covering not only transmission and distribution networks but also large-scale connected facilities.
• Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (“CCS”): Until recently, CCS and CCU projects in Germany were largely inhibited by regulatory uncertainty, rendering investments unattractive. In August 2025, however, the Federal Cabinet adopted draft legislative reforms to enable CCS deployment, including priority permitting procedures – this has the potential to mark a transformative opportunity for the German energy landscape.

Foreign Direct Investment in Germany

In Germany, the energy sector has moved to the forefront of national security concerns. Policymakers view disruptions such as blackouts or deliberate sabotage of infrastructure as threats not only to the economy but also to public order. Another area of vulnerability is the potential loss of domestic industrial capacity: if key German companies fail and foreign – possibly adversarial – players dominate strategic sectors, Germany could become dependent on others for critical infrastructure, equipment, and services.

Germany’s investment screening regime is built on two key legal instruments: the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG) and the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (AWV). Together, they empower the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (“BMWE”) to review and, where necessary, block foreign acquisitions that threaten public order or national security.

Energy infrastructure is explicitly classified as “critical infrastructure” under German law, including operators that provide electricity or gas to more than 500,000 people. Since reforms in 2018, any non-EU investor acquiring 10% or more of a company operating such infrastructure must notify the BMWE. Importantly, transactions cannot be closed before clearance is granted. Breaches of this standstill obligation can render the deal legally void and may carry criminal penalties.

At present, greenfield investments – such as building a new wind farm or establishing a new energy subsidiary – are not subject to FDI screening, since no existing German entity is being acquired. However, there is ongoing political debate about expanding the regime to capture sensitive greenfield projects. Proposals for a dedicated Investment Screening Act are under discussion, which would represent a significant extension of Germany’s regulatory reach in this area.

Germany’s approach to investment screening has been shaped by several high-profile cases that illustrate how foreign ownership of critical assets can raise national security concerns, and these point towards certain trends:

• In 2018, a Chinese state-owned investor sought to acquire a significant minority stake in a German electricity transmission system operator serving millions of people. At the time, the legal review threshold was higher than the proposed shareholding, so the deal technically fell outside the screening mechanism. The government responded by arranging for a state-owned domestic investor to purchase the stake instead. This episode highlighted a loophole and directly prompted reforms: since late 2018, acquisitions of critical infrastructure are subject to review starting at 10% ownership.
• In 2022, a Russian-controlled entity held majority shares in major German refineries. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the government placed these operations under trusteeship to safeguard continued production, as commercial partners had begun to withdraw due to sanctions.
• In 2022, a foreign energy company attempted to transfer ownership of its German gas trading and storage operations to an opaque offshore entity without notifying the authorities, in breach of FDI obligations. The government intervened using emergency powers and transferred control to the Federal Network Agency to ensure security of supply.

These interventions show the broader set of tools Germany can deploy to retain control over critical infrastructure. They also demonstrate that even completed or longstanding foreign investments can become national security risks as the geopolitical environment shifts. These experiences have reinforced a more restrictive approach to FDI, with energy transactions linked to potentially hostile states now facing heightened scrutiny.

Energy sector developments in Spain

Spain is undergoing a profound energy transformation, guided by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2023–2030 (“PNIEC”), which sets ambitious goals for decarbonisation, efficiency, and security of supply. Key to this transformation will be boosting demand through major industrial and consumer projects.

The regulatory framework in Spain is structured around the Electricity Sector Law (2013) and the Hydrocarbons Law (1998), which define the organisation of the electricity and gas systems, respectively. Within this framework, the network operators – REE for electricity and Enagás for gas – act as transporters responsible for the construction and management of the transmission networks, and also as system operators tasked with ensuring coordination, security, and continuity of supply. At the same time, planning and authorisation of this infrastructure falls under the responsibility of State and autonomous communities. Finally, the National Commission on Markets and Competition (or CNMC) serves as the regulatory authority for the energy system, setting remuneration methodologies and conditions for network access, and ensuring the proper functioning of energy markets.

The emphasis on security of supply has become particularly relevant in light of the recent major blackout incident in Spain, which underscored the importance of grid resilience in a system with growing renewable penetration. As a result, there is a focus in Spain on the following objectives arising from recent legislation and reforms:

• Grid Access and Project Development: Royal Decree-Law 23/2020 introduced an administrative milestone system for holders of grid access and connection permits (such as Environmental Impact Assessment and construction authorisations), designed to prevent speculative practices and ensure that only projects with tangible progress retain their permits.
• Grid Access and Capacity Allocation: Royal Decree 1183/2020 set out detailed rules for network access and connection procedures. It also provided for capacity auctions at transmission network nodes where demand for access exceeds available capacity. However, the full regulatory framework for such auctions remains pending, awaiting development by the government through a dedicated Ministerial Order on capacity auctions.
• Energy Storage and Flexibility: Recent reforms recognised the role of energy storage —both standalone and hybrid with renewable generation— as essential for system flexibility and security. The PNIEC raises the storage target to 22.5 GW by 2030, exceeding the 20 GW previously set in Spain’s Energy Storage Strategy. Measures include new reversible hydropower capacity in existing reservoirs, the creation of capacity markets to ensure investment, and adaptation of the regulatory and market frameworks to provide long-term incentives.
• Renewable Gases (Hydrogen and Biogas): The government plans up to 12 GW of electrolysers by 2030, mainly for industrial uses, tripling the first roadmap’s target (4 GW) and surpassing the latest PNIEC estimate (11 GW). Biogas and biomethane are also gaining importance, with a target of 20 TWh of production by 2030, double the volume of the previous roadmap, leveraging agricultural, livestock, and industrial resources.
• Self-Consumption: The PNIEC sets a 19 GW target for self-consumption by 2030, expected to cover around 11% of national electricity demand. This measure is seen as key for democratising the energy system and fostering both citizen and business participation.
• Offshore Wind: Through Royal Decree 150/2023, the government established Maritime Spatial Planning Plans (or POEMs), identifying areas suitable for offshore renewable development. Overall, the government’s objective is to reach 3 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, in line with Spain’s marine energy roadmap.

Foreign Direct Investment in Spain

Spain’s FDI regime has undergone significant transformation in recent years, reflecting a broader shift toward economic security as a pillar of national security. This evolution has placed the energy sector – particularly electricity, gas, hydrocarbons, and critical infrastructure – at the centre of regulatory scrutiny.

The power blackout in April 2025, which disrupted power across peninsular Spain for up to 20 hours, has further intensified public scrutiny of energy infrastructure. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in grid stability, voltage control, and the integration of renewables. In response, the government proposed urgent reforms through Royal Decree-Law 7/2025, including enhanced oversight, hybrid storage prioritisation, and industrial electrification incentives. Although the decree was repealed amid political opposition, it reflects growing concern over energy system resilience and the strategic importance of infrastructure control.

The legal framework is anchored in Law 19/2003, as amended, and Royal Decree 571/2023, which together establish a general mandatory screening regime for foreign investments in sensitive sectors or when the investor falls within certain categories. The regime applies to investments where the foreign investor acquires at least 10% of a Spanish company or gains control through other means. While the regime primarily targets investors controlled from outside the EU or EFTA, it may also apply to EU/EFTA-based investors depending on the circumstances. Additionally, there is a separate authorization regime for investments related to national defence, which operates independently from the general screening framework (and is subject to lower thresholds and stricter requirements).

The energy sector is explicitly covered under the general regime (and potentially under the defence regime if related to national defence), with mandatory notification required for transactions involving any of the following:

• Critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids, gas pipelines, and LNG terminals, listed in the National Catalogue of Strategic Infrastructure, as well as land, real estate and energy-related assets that are key to the use of such infrastructure.
• Essential inputs for energy infrastructure, including energy itself, software, control systems, and specialized equipment required for its operation.
• Other indispensable and non-substitutable inputs required to ensure the integrity, security, or continuity of activities affecting critical infrastructure and energy systems (hydrocarbons, renewable gases, biofuels or electricity).
• Regulated activities, including electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply, gas system operation and natural gas storage and regasification.
• Sensitive data related to energy supply, infrastructure operations, or strategic locations.
• Certain technologies developed under national or EU programs of strategic interest, including quantum and nuclear energy storage systems.

The regime also provides narrowly defined exemptions for certain energy-related transactions, such as those involving non-regulated activities or where the investor’s market share remains below specific thresholds (e.g., less than 5% of installed generation capacity). However, these exemptions are interpreted narrowly and may not apply if the transaction intersects with other sensitive sectors beyond essential inputs/energy (e.g. critical infrastructure, relevant technologies, access to sensitive data etc.). Moreover, the Spanish government retains broad discretionary powers to review and potentially block transactions that could pose risks to public order, public safety, or national security.

The Spanish FDI authority, under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, conducts detailed reviews of proposed transactions, focusing on the ownership of the investor (including links to foreign governments), the nature of the target’s assets and operations, and the impact on Spain’s energy supply, infrastructure resilience and strategic autonomy. The energy sector accounts for a significant share of the more than 400 FDI transactions reviewed since 2020 – reaching 20.8% of cases reviewed in 2024, making it the sector with the highest number of FDI transactions requiring approval.

Where risks are identified, the authority may impose conditions or even deny approval to safeguard national interests. Indeed, recent enforcement trends highlight the government’s willingness to intervene. In the energy sector, most interventions may result in conditional approvals, with commitments typically addressing issues such as the following:

• Maintaining management and headquarters in Spain.
• Preserving core operations in Spain.
• Prohibition of divestments affecting critical infrastructure.
• Commitments on supply continuity and energy transition.
• Limits on key personnel appointments.
• Restrictions on access to sensitive data.
• Oversight mechanisms (e.g. government observers).

Although the specifics of these decisions are rarely disclosed, recent cases in the energy sector demonstrate that authorisations may be granted with multiple conditions aimed at safeguarding strategic interests.

Spain’s FDI regime demonstrates a pragmatic approach, balancing national security with the need to attract investment and meet climate goals. However, the evolving regulatory landscape and geopolitical context mean that early legal risk assessment and proactive engagement with authorities are essential for investors in the energy sector.