Britain has adjusted the clock on its legacy small-scale renewables scheme. A statutory instrument published on legislation.gov.uk, made on 6 January 2026 and laid before Parliament on 7 January, requires the Authority to publish the 2026/27 Feed-in Tariff (FIT) table on or before 1 April 2026. The Order comes into force on 30 January 2026.

Signed by Energy Minister Michael Shanks at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the measure amends article 16 of the Feed-in Tariffs Order 2012. It moves the publication deadline from 1 February to as late as 1 April for FIT year 17, covering 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The change is procedural. It does not alter how payments are calculated for accredited installations; it only shifts when the tariff table is published. Once confirmed by the Authority, generation and export rates apply for the year and suppliers continue paying in line with that table.

Timing still matters to households, schools, small firms and community energy groups that rely on FIT income to balance budgets. A later table narrows their planning window for 2026/27 cash flow and maintenance. The government’s note accompanying the instrument says no significant impact is expected, but administrators may have less time to finalise forecasts.

Responsibility sits with the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, better known as Ofgem. The Order extends to England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland operates different arrangements, so this change does not apply there.

FIT is closed to new applicants, with most new small generators using the Smart Export Guarantee instead. For existing accredited systems-from rooftop solar to micro‑hydro-the scheme continues, with Ofgem publishing an annual tariff table that suppliers use to calculate payments.

If you receive FIT payments, treat March as your preparation month. Ask your supplier how they will handle any reconciliations once the table appears, submit accurate meter readings at the end of March, and keep a modest cash buffer in case the update lands close to the start of the tariff year. Independent guidance from organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust can help with budgeting and efficiency while you wait for the final figures.

Clarity will be important. Publishing the tariff table promptly and explaining any index-linked adjustments in plain language would give prosumers and community schemes the certainty needed to plan maintenance, borrowing and local projects with confidence.

The key dates are clear: the Order takes effect on 30 January 2026; Ofgem must publish the 2026/27 FIT tariff table on or before 1 April 2026; and those rates apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Eco Current will track the release and set out what it means for households and community energy groups.