Great Britain faces some of Europe's highest energy costs this winter as the country relies heavily on imports to meet demand, according to official forecasts.
Energy system operators say the country will have sufficient gas and electricity supply over the winter months, but only by paying higher market prices than neighbouring European markets to secure those imports. The Guardian reports that Britain's reliance on imports is forecast to deepen further.
The underlying issue reflects Britain's energy infrastructure constraints. The country must compete aggressively on international markets to attract liquefied natural gas and electricity imports during peak demand periods. This competitive pressure drives up prices paid by British consumers and businesses compared with neighbouring countries.
Official forecasts confirm Britain will meet energy demand. However, the mechanism for doing so, higher import prices, will place the country among Europe's most expensive energy markets through the winter season.