Executive summary
- The United Kingdom (UK) has a high dependence on volatile international gas markets for its electricity and heating. This is a strategic weakness which undermines British economic stability and growth.
- Ongoing domestic gas production is necessary, but insufficient to reverse this weakness. In practice, Britain will remain a price taker with prices determined by the actions of other governments, no matter the production policy.
- Reducing consumption is therefore necessary. His Majesty’s (HM) Government must diversify its electricity and heating supply to reduce exposure to markets it cannot meaningfully influence.
About the author
Jack Richardson is the Head of Policy at Octopus Energy. He was previously the Policy Adviser to Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, where he advised on a range of subjects covering energy infrastructure and Net Zero. Before that, he led think tank Onward’s Energy and Environment programme and the Conservative Environment Network’s climate and energy campaigns.
Disclaimer
This publication should not be considered in any way to constitute advice. It is for knowledge and educational purposes only. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council on Geostrategy or the views of its Advisory Council.
Image credit: Pembroke Power Station under construction by JKMMK (CC BY 3.0).
No. 2025/09 | ISBN: 978-1-917893-00-8