Capacity Market Panel of Technical Experts: Panel Member in Bedford

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Number of vacancies: 5

Time commitment: Expected 20 days per annum

Length of term: Fixed Term contract for 36 months.

Energy security is a priority for the government, and the Capacity Market is government’s main tool for ensuring continued security of electricity supply in Great Britain. The National Energy System Operator (NESO), as the scheme’s Delivery Body, advises government on annual Capacity Market procurement volumes and related parameters, including technology specific de-rating factors. Government takes the final decision on how much capacity to secure and sets the auction parameters – it also determines the final de-rating factor for interconnectors. To ensure these decisions are well-informed, NESO’s modelling and advice are rigorously scrutinised by the Panel of Technical Experts (PTE), comprising leading external academic and sector specialists.

The Panel’s primary objectives are to provide impartial scrutiny on the analysis and modelling approach for NESO’s annual Electricity Capacity Report. Through this process, the Panel assess the recommendations on the target capacity for the Capacity Market auctions to inform government decisions. This includes consideration of any internal biases within the process that could influence recommendations. The Panel’s recommendations are published in an annual PTE Report. This role is a technical function and not a forum for policy commentary or for advising the government on its objectives for the Capacity Market or wider policy issues.

The roles of the Panel of Technical Experts: The membership of the Panel is intended to provide a range of professional analytical skills, bringing diverse practical experiences of the electricity market and knowledge of a range of generation technologies that will ensure appropriate technical scrutiny of NESO’s analysis.

For the new Panel we are seeking to appoint five members with the following areas of expertise:

• an Operational Researcher, Decision or Management Scientist;
• an Economist;
• an Electricity Sector Expert;
• an Electricity Demand Expert; and
• an Electricity Markets and Adequacy Specialist.

One of the five Panel members will be selected to be the Chair. Candidates may apply for the role of Chair for the full three-year tenure as part of the application process. We anticipate that the Panel members will be drawn from academia and/or the energy sector, but applications will remain open to any suitably qualified candidate subject to appropriate conflict of interest checks.

Expected time commitment: Panel members are expected to contribute around 20 days per year on average, with workload concentrated around report production periods between March and July.

The annual work of the Panel typically includes:

• From March to May, the PTE review and scrutinise NESO’s Electricity Capacity Report methodology. During the core Electricity Capacity Report preparation period, we anticipate weekly engagement with NESO to help shape the report’s development. Members typically work up to 5 – 7 days per month in this period;
• In June and July, the PTE produce the PTE report which will be published alongside the DESNZ decisions on Capacity Market auction parameters. Members typically work up to 5 – 7 days per month in this period;
• In the remaining months of the year, the PTE engage across DESNZ, NESO and Ofgem on development projects for the Electricity Capacity Report. The Panel may also use the time available for supporting activities of relevance to their annual report or for ad-hoc Government asks.

Behaviours required for all Panel members:

• Teamworking: Ability to work effectively with fellow Panel members, DESNZ, Ofgem and NESO, delivering written outputs on time and managing differing or conflicting views constructively;
• Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills to present information clearly to decision makers, and to explain complex findings in plain English for varied audiences, including in the published PTE reports;
• Flexibility: Capacity to manage diverse and sometimes ad-hoc tasks, and to work to tight deadlines;
• Comfort with uncertainty: Ability to work with imperfect data or methodologies, proposing new or alternative approaches where needed;
• Report quality: Ensuring the final report is clear, focused, consistent and readable, despite contributions from multiple authors and the interconnected nature of issues across the energy market.

Core knowledge and skills required for all Panel members:

• Experience of strategic senior decision-making or advisory roles to support senior decision-making in energy markets;
• Experience of working in Panels and/or other decision-making processes providing advice to inform policy decisions;
• Experience of carrying out or scrutinising analysis and/or modelling of the GB and/or international electricity markets;
• Knowledge of the GB Capacity Market (its history and current challenges) and/or other capacity mechanisms;
• Knowledge of electricity systems, networks and interconnection, as well as an awareness of conventional and low-carbon generation technologies and operations (including emerging technologies and demand side response);
• An appreciation of the issues facing the GB electricity market over the next decade;
• Aware of UK and European energy policies and general policy awareness of topical issues.

Conflict of Interest: As an independent expert, Panel members must ensure they can mitigate any conflicts of interest that could compromise the Panel’s ability to operate impartially. Applicants must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest relating to the achievement of the Panel’s objectives. This could include, but is not limited to, broader engagement with the Capacity Market or its participants or with NESO. The applicant shall warrant that all disclosures are complete and accurate and acknowledges an ongoing obligation to notify DESNZ of any new conflicts on a quarterly basis. Where a conflict of interest has been declared, the applicant must propose and implement DESNZ agreed mitigation plans. These could include non-involvement in parts of the PTE discussion, the termination of relationships with third parties, or the establishment of additional guidance to govern how information should be handled. DESNZ will not progress applicants if mitigation plans cannot be agreed.

How to Apply: Please submit your full application by email to . The closing date is 28 August 2026 at 23:55. All applications must include the following:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) setting out your relevant career history, with key responsibilities and achievements tailored to the person specification.
• A Supporting Statement (Up to 1,500 words) explaining which role you are applying for, and confirming whether you would also like to apply for the role of chair. For the specific PTE role you are applying for, please detail your motivation for applying and suitability for this role. Please provide evidence and outline how you consider your personal skills, knowledge and experience would help to deliver against the requirements of the Panel of Technical Experts, with reference to the criteria in the person specification. As part of your supporting statement, please:
• Detail your proposed day rate for this position. This day rate will be considered as part of the overall recruitment process;
• Explain how you would be able to ensure your availability and work pragmatically and dynamically during the peak times of the Capacity Market cycle.
• If you wish to apply for the role of Chair of the Panel, please provide a separate supporting statement (up to 500 words) setting out your suitability for the role of Chair. Your statement should:
• Explain how your experience, knowledge and expertise meet the requirements of the Chair role;
• Outline any chairing or comparable leadership experience relevant to the role;
• Describe how you would approach the responsibilities of Chair and lead the Panel if appointed.
• A Supporting Conflicts of Interest Declaration (attached at the end of this advert) explaining that you hold no conflicts of interest that could compromise the Panel’s ability to operate impartially. Where any potential conflicts exist, you must provide a statement outlining how you propose to manage them. This Conflict of Interest Declaration will be used for assessment purposes and DESNZ may reach out to discuss any Declarations in more detail to support this process. A formal Declaration will be required should you be successful in your application.

A market engagement event for all prospective candidates will be held during the application window to provide further information and to give an opportunity for candidates to ask questions. If you would like an invitation to this event, please email . The interviews will assess the suitability of the candidates including questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post for which you are applying. The assessment panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

To be eligible for the role candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Successful applicants must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.