The US will double its exports of natural gas to Britain under a new deal to be announced by Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister and the US President have agreed to work together to help countries reduce their dependence on Russian gas and boost supplies of renewables.
As part of the plan, the US will aim to supply twice as much gas to UK terminals next year, either to be used within Britain or to be re-exported to other European countries.
Britain has more terminals capable of handling imports of liquefied natural gas, which is transported around the world on campaigner ships, than most of the rest of Europe. In 2021, around 5 per cent of the UK’s gas imports came from the US, with the majority originating in Norway.
Fears of a Europe-wide acute shortage of gas this winter which would lead to widespread blackouts have not yet materialised, although there are concerns that the prospect of colder weather will increase the dangers. European leaders and companies are already seeking to refill their storage capacity to avoid running low on energy next winter.
Mr Sunak said: “Together the UK and US will ensure the global price of energy and the security of our national supply can never again be manipulated by the whims of a failing regime.
“We have the natural resources, industry and innovative thinking we need to create a better, freer system and accelerate the clean energy transition. This partnership will bring down prices for British consumers and help end Europe’s dependence on Russian energy once and for all.”
The two countries will seek to “drive international investment in clean energy technologies” and work together on how to reduce demand for energy across the world. And they will push for the development of small modular reactors, miniature nuclear power facilities that can provide energy much more quickly than traditional nuclear stations.
A “joint action group” will meet for the first time on Thursday to discuss ways that Britain and the US can strengthen their commercial and scientific links to one another.
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/usa-double-natural-gas-energy-sunak-biden-2013256?ITO=newsnow
