Britain secures Belgian gas link as winter imports push energy costs higher
Britain is expected to have enough gas and electricity for winter, but National Gas and the National Energy System Operator say that security relies on imports and could come at higher cost. Ofgem approved a deal to maintain gas import capacity through a Belgian pipeline; the Guardian reports it will add around €0.12 (£0.10) a month to the average gas bill.
Bottom line — National Gas expects LNG imports to rise by about 5% this winter, while the Guardian says gas prices are three times their pre-crisis level.
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Ofgem says the pipeline deal costs €147 million (£127 million) and could add €1.37 (£1.19) per household annually for five years, according to AOL.
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Reuters reports peak gas demand is forecast at 493 million cubic metres a day, 2% above last winter; supply capacity is put at 592 million.
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National Gas says Britain’s gas production is expected to fall by 6% against last winter, according to the Guardian.
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The Guardian reports Great Britain is also forecast to be a net electricity importer, with power imports likely to cost more than last winter.
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NESO expects 5.9 gigawatts of spare electricity capacity during a typical cold spell, Reuters reports, but says December or January may bring tight days.
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The Independent says Ofgem’s household energy price cap rose in October and is expected to rise further from January.
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Ofgem says the Belgian arrangement addresses winter 2026–27 and provides security benefits over the following four years, according to the Guardian’s analysis.