Rishi Sunak is on the verge of a major deal with Joe Biden who could bring in fractured gas from the US to avoid blackouts this winter
The Prime Minister hopes to reach a deal this month with Joe Biden that could see the United States supply billions of cubic feet of natural gas to Britain in the coming months to help ease the energy crisis triggered by Vladimir Poutine.
The deal, which was initiated by Liz Truss, would boost the UK’s energy supply and reduce the risk of blackouts, which the National Grid says are possible this winter.
Ironically, it would make the UK more dependent on gas produced by fracking, just weeks after Mr Sunak reimposed a ban on the controversial technology in the UK. About two-thirds of US gas is now produced by hydraulic fracturing, which has made America a net exporter of energy in recent years.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hopes to reach an agreement for the United States to supply billions of cubic feet of natural gas to Britain over the next few months. Mr Sunak is pictured delivering a speech at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt yesterday, November 8
President Biden, pictured speaking at a rally in Maryland on Monday, is expected to discuss the issue with his British counterpart at next week’s G20 summit in Indonesia
Andy Mayer, an energy analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said exploiting the UK’s vast shale gas reserves would be more environmentally friendly than importing supplies from the US. United and would generate huge tax revenues and economic activity.
“Banning fracking in the UK while making deals to import fractured gas into the US prioritizes climate over climate action,” he said. “It reduces our energy security, risks increasing bills and undermines public finances.
“Imported gas, cooled and shipped in vast tankers, has a higher carbon footprint than gas drilled at home.
“Anti-fracking campaigns are not environmentally friendly as we remain dependent on fossil fuels for 75% of our primary energy.” Downing Street confirmed talks of a deal were underway but declined to comment on specifics.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the United States was a country where “we can do more together to fight energy price spikes.” He added: “We are still discussing with the United States the right approach.”
Mr Sunak, who is pictured after his election as leader of the Conservative Party last month, hopes to complete the US energy deal as early as December
A government source said Mr Sunak would likely discuss the issue with Mr Biden at next week’s G20 summit in Indonesia. The UK is also in talks with Norway and Qatar over long-term gas supply deals.
Ministers hope the new “energy security partnership” with the United States could be sealed as early as this month.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister Lord Frost also said there was “a certain hypocrisy” in trying to import more fractured gas while banning its extraction in the UK.
He told GB News: “I’m personally in favor of at least trying hydraulic fracturing, to see if we can do it effectively.” We must be responsible for our own security of supply.
