UrbanChain and Believ secure funding for net-zero retrofit

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today we report on an innovative collaboration set to enhance the traceability and integrity of renewable energy supply chains across Britain.

Net Zero News can reveal that UrbanChain, a blockchain-enabled energy tracking specialist, has entered into a strategic partnership with Believ, a renewable energy certificate provider, to deliver fully traceable, verifiable renewable electricity. The agreement was signed in London this month and marks a milestone for transparency in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, the collaboration will leverage UrbanChain’s distributed ledger technology to record the provenance of renewable energy, while Believ issues digital certificates verifying energy attributes. Together, they aim to close gaps in current tracking systems and support businesses and consumers in meeting corporate sustainability targets. This initiative aligns with the UK’s commitment under the sixth Carbon Budget and the Net Zero Strategy to scale up low-carbon energy infrastructure.

UrbanChain’s platform will integrate meter-level generation data with blockchain records, ensuring that every megawatt hour of renewable power can be traced back to its source. Believ will then mint tamper-proof certificates compliant with international accounting standards and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. Net Zero News understands this forms part of wider sector ambitions to bolster grid transparency and reduce double-counting of renewable energy credits, a challenge highlighted in recent studies.

This partnership matters for the UK’s net-zero transition because it enhances corporate renewable purchasing and supports the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin framework. Companies investing in clean power will gain greater confidence in the environmental integrity of their energy mix, while grid operators and regulators will benefit from real-time visibility of renewable output. The solution is forecast to contribute to a reduction of up to 2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030, as more firms switch to certified green electricity.

Key stakeholders in this project include the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which has provided regulatory guidance, and Regional Development Agencies in the Midlands and the North West. UrbanChain and Believ have secured £3.5 million in seed funding, with backing from private investors specialising in climate tech. The project’s delivery is supported by independent auditors and standards bodies to ensure full compliance and stakeholder trust.

Net Zero News understands this partnership also complements the UK Government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan by fostering digital innovations in energy markets. It dovetails with ongoing consultations on renewable certificate reform and the expansion of cross-border energy trading with Europe. Locally, the initiative touches on green hydrogen hubs and offshore wind zones, reinforcing a strategic fit within the broader clean energy landscape.

Communities stand to gain through improved local air quality and enhanced energy security, while industrial users will have access to verifiable renewable power for decarbonising manufacturing processes. The construction sector is already exploring how traceable energy could underpin green building certification schemes. However, the initiative will face challenges in integrating legacy systems and ensuring equitable access for smaller energy suppliers.

Looking ahead, UrbanChain and Believ plan to pilot their system with ten major corporate offtakers by mid-2025. They have set a roadmap towards full commercial launch by early 2026, along with expanding certificate issuance across wind, solar and hydro generation. Stakeholders anticipate further announcements on integration with upcoming energy trading platforms.

For more on how digital innovation is reshaping the UK’s energy transition, read our analysis of the Thames Estuary Power Hub and our feature on hydrogen infrastructure developments. If you’re interested in connecting with peers and hearing firsthand from project leaders, register now for the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference (https://www.net-zero.scot/private-sector-register) and discover how you can contribute to driving down emissions across the nation. To explore membership benefits, visit the Net Zero Club homepage (https://www.net-zeroclub.co.uk).

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