UK and California sign MOU to strengthen ties on clean energy to boost investment
Mon 16 February 2026
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The UK has signed a new partnership with California to accelerate developments in clean power and to help tackle the climate and nature crisis. An MoU signed by UK energy secretary Ed Miliband and California Governor Gavin Newsom creates a refreshed framework to drive innovation and scale-up clearn energy technologies.
The Government says that the agreement will connect the UK’s fast-growing clean energy sector with the Californian market, opening up new export opportunities, supporting skilled jobs opportunities across the UK. It also strengthens cooperation on clean energy, climate and the environment to speed up the rollout of technologies that cut bills for families, reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and protect the natural environment. It builds on other MoUs signed by the UK focused on economic cooperation with 11 other US states, including Washington and Florida.
The UK’s and California’s clean energy economies are growing rapidly, with the UK’s net zero economy growing three times faster than the overall UK economy in 2024 according to the CBI. Meanwhile, California saw similarly rapid clean economic growth, with three times more clean energy jobs being created than jobs created elsewhere in the state’s economy.
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said: "This government’s clean energy mission is about taking back control of our energy to cut bills, create jobs, and tackle the climate crisis. Strong international partnerships like today’s announcement with the State of California strengthens opportunities for UK businesses and secures investment for our country."
Governor Gavin Newsom said: "California is the best place in America to invest in a clean economy because we set clear goals and we deliver. Today, we deepened our partnership with the United Kingdom on climate action and welcomed nearly a billion dollars in clean tech investment from Octopus Energy. California will continue showing the world how we can turn innovation and ambition into climate action.
Image: Courtesy UK.gov
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