Talks on an “energy security partnership” are in their final stages, with the US planning to sell billions of cubic meters of liquefied natural gas to Britain next year. It comes after the war in Ukraine worsened power shortages, prompting warnings of blackouts this winter. Details of the deal can be revealed after the prime minister used a Cop27 visit to Egypt to urge world leaders to “honor” their pledges to tackle climate change. The UK’s willingness to import more fossil fuels while urging action on climate change is likely to be attacked by the Labor Party, but is now seen as necessary to ensure the country’s energy security. The deal is likely to be welcomed by senior Tories, who have raised concerns that the push for net zero has been prioritized over increasing energy bills for households and taxpayers.
US-UK energy deal imminent
Britain is in advanced negotiations with countries around the world to resolve the energy crisis fueled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the spring. The Telegraph spoke to half a dozen current and former government officials familiar with the US-UK energy deal talks. It is understood that former Prime Minister Liz Truss and US President Joe Biden had personally discussed details of the agreement. Downing Street insiders had hoped to announce the package on Friday, October 21, but that plan was scrapped as Mrs Truss bowed to Tory pressure the day before and resigned. The deal continued to be pursued by UK officials in Washington under Mr Sunak, with an announcement expected in the next week or two, although a date has yet to be decided. While the details of the deal have yet to be fully signed off, the basic structure of the package has remained consistent under both Ms Truss and Mr Sunak, according to the people involved. The US is to pledge to export billions of cubic meters of liquefied natural gas to the UK, sources told the newspaper. The British side hopes the number will be around 10 billion cubic meters, according to two British sources. The entire European Union was promised 15 billion cubic meters by the US this spring. However, the dispute over the exact number continues and it is possible that a specific number will not be named in the public statement. The deal will be hailed by London as evidence that the UK is moving away from oil and gas imports linked to Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
