Rishi Sunak close to US gas deal that could prevent winter blackouts

2022-11-08

Rishi Sunak is close to sealing US gas deal that could prevent winter blackouts, report says

US planning to sell billions of cubic metres of liquefied natural gas to Britain
Comes amid warnings of blackouts after energy crisis caused by Ukraine war
PM Rishi Sunak could announce details of the deal after the Cop27 summit
It builds on discussions between former PM Liz Truss and president Joe Biden

Rishi Sunak is close to clinching a major gas deal with the United States, it was reported last night.

The Prime Minister could announce details of the ‘energy security partnership’ after the Cop27 climate change summit, with talks said to be in their final stages.

The US is planning to sell billions of cubic metres of liquefied natural gas to Britain over the next year as part of the deal, The Daily Telegraph reported.

It comes amid warnings of potential blackouts this winter after the war in Ukraine caused energy shortages.

Rishi Sunak is close to clinching a major gas deal with the United States, it was reported last night (the Prime Minister is pictured addressing delegates during the Cop27 climate summit on November 7)

Importing more fossil fuels while urging action to tackle climate change leaves Mr Sunak open to attacks from Labour.

But the strategy is perceived as being essential to guaranteeing energy security and preventing the lights from going out this winter.

The deal builds on discussions between Mr Sunak’s predecessor, Liz Truss, and US President Joe Biden.

The Telegraph said it had spoken to half a dozen current and former government figures familiar with the talks, with the UK side hoping around 10 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas can be imported.

It comes amid warnings of potential blackouts this winter after the war in Ukraine caused energy shortages (file image)

A deal had been due to be announced on October 21, but this was scrapped after Miss Truss resigned the day before.

An announcement could come in the next week or two and would be used by ministers to show that the UK is moving away from Russian-linked oil and gas imports and becoming more energy independent in the wake of Moscow’s invasion.

It would also shore up energy supplies amid warnings from National Grid of potential blackouts at peak times if there are problems importing energy supplies from Europe.

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