Tesla is taking a significant step toward entering the British household and business electricity market, applying to the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, for a supply license.
If approved, the move would allow the company to provide electricity to homes and commercial premises across England, Scotland, and Wales as early as next year, marking the first international expansion of Tesla Electric.
The application, filed by Tesla Energy Ventures, the company’s Manchester-based energy arm, was signed by Andrew Payne, head of Tesla’s European energy operations.
Ofgem’s licensing process can take up to nine months, although some cases move faster. Notably, Tesla has only applied for an electricity license, meaning households on dual-fuel contracts will still need a separate gas supplier. (via Telegraph)
Tesla Electric has been operating in Texas since late 2022, offering residents competitive charging rates for Tesla vehicles and a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program that pays Powerwall owners for feeding stored electricity back to the grid during peak demand. This model enables the company to stabilize renewable energy supply by pooling small-scale energy storage into a larger, coordinated network.
Signs of Tesla’s UK ambitions first emerged in 2023, when the company posted a job listing for a Head of Operations, Tesla Electric – Retail Energy, tasked with obtaining UK licenses and preparing for a commercial launch.
