Ofgem approves deal to maintain UK gas import capacity through European interconnectors

Regulator opens consultation on keeping import flexibility for winter demand

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The UK energy regulator Ofgem has approved an agreement to preserve gas import capacity through interconnectors with mainland Europe, aiming to ensure flexibility during periods of high demand, particularly in winter. The move comes as the regulator consults on a cost-recovery mechanism for maintaining this capacity.

Ofgem, the UK's energy market regulator, has approved Interconnector Limited entering into an agreement with National Gas Transmission plc to reinforce gas import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector. This action is intended to maintain the UK's ability to import gas from mainland Europe during periods of particularly high demand, such as severe winter weather.

The UK is connected to mainland Europe through several interconnectors to Belgium and the Netherlands, which can flow gas in both directions. These are used only occasionally for imports, with most of the UK's gas coming from Norway via pipelines and from other exporters as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Import capacity through these continental connectors has declined in recent years due to reduced commercial incentives and specific technical reductions, according to Ofgem.

Ofgem has opened a consultation until November 20, 2026, on the proposed regulatory mechanism for recovering the costs of maintaining this import capability. "Maintaining import capability through the continental interconnectors has been identified as an important action to strengthen resilience by enhancing the ability of the gas system to respond to more challenging situations in the very unlikely event that they arise," said Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen, Director of Energy Systems and Resilience at National Gas. Jack Presley Abbott, Director of Energy Systems Management and Security at Ofgem, added, "Maintaining these important gas links is important as longer-term changes to the energy system continue."

Analysis

Why This Matters

Preserves a backup gas supply option for the UK, reducing the risk of shortages during peak demand periods like cold winters.
Maintains flexibility in the UK energy system amid the ongoing transition to lower-carbon sources.
Helps avoid potential price spikes by ensuring the country can access European gas when needed.

Background

The UK relies on a mix of gas imports from Norway via pipelines, LNG from global exporters, and domestic production from the North Sea. Continental interconnectors have historically provided supplementary capacity during emergencies. Recent reductions in commercial incentives and technical capacity prompted Ofgem's regulatory action to preserve these links.

Key Perspectives

Ofgem: Views the interconnectors as vital for resilience, approving the agreement while consulting on a cost-recovery mechanism to maintain capacity.
National Gas: Considers maintaining import capability a crucial step for strengthening the gas system against challenging scenarios.
No opposing perspectives: The article presents only the views of Ofgem and National Gas, with no alternative positions included.

What to Watch

The outcome of Ofgem's consultation, closing November 20, 2026.
Potential startup of the Jackdaw gas field, which could boost domestic supply.
Winter weather patterns and demand levels that test the import flexibility being preserved.

Sources

Ofgem Approves Deal to Keep UK Gas Import Capacity From Europe · Oilprice.com

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedOfgem approved a deal to maintain UK gas import capacity through European interconnectors.Oilprice.com: “Ofgem on Thursday approved Interconnector Limited entering into an agreement, under its license, with National Gas Transmission plc to reinforce gas import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector.”
SupportedThe regulator opened a consultation on keeping import flexibility for winter demand.Oilprice.com: “Even so, these interconnectors “provide an important option during periods of particularly high demand, such as severe winter weather,” the regulator noted as it opened a consultation until November 20, 2026 on keeping the existing capacity.”
Partly supportedOfgem approved an agreement to preserve import capacity through interconnectors with mainland Europe.Oilprice.com: “Ofgem on Thursday approved Interconnector Limited entering into an agreement, under its license, with National Gas Transmission plc to reinforce gas import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector.”
SupportedThe agreement is intended to keep the UK able to import gas during particularly high demand, including severe winter weather.Oilprice.com: “Even so, these interconnectors “provide an important option during periods of particularly high demand, such as severe winter weather,” the regulator noted”
SupportedOfgem approved Interconnector Limited entering into an agreement with National Gas Transmission plc to reinforce import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector.Oilprice.com: “Ofgem on Thursday approved Interconnector Limited entering into an agreement, under its license, with National Gas Transmission plc to reinforce gas import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector.”
SupportedThe UK has several interconnectors to Belgium and the Netherlands through which gas can flow in both directions.Oilprice.com: “The UK is connected to mainland Europe with several interconnectors, through which gas can flow in both directions depending on where the demand is. These pipelines linking the UK’s gas system with hubs in Belgium and the Netherlands”
SupportedThe interconnectors are used only occasionally to import gas.Oilprice.com: “These pipelines linking the UK’s gas system with hubs in Belgium and the Netherlands are only used occasionally to import gas.”
Partly supportedMost of the UK's gas comes from Norway via pipelines and from other exporters as LNG.Oilprice.com: “Most of the imported gas the UK consumes comes from Norway via pipelines and from other gas exporters in the form of LNG.”
SupportedImport capacity through continental interconnectors has declined because of reduced commercial incentives and technical reductions.Oilprice.com: “The amount of gas import capability available to the British market through the continental interconnectors has shrunk in recent years, due to a combination of reduced commercial incentives for imports from Europe and specific technical reductions in interconnector capacity, Ofgem said today.”
SupportedOfgem's consultation runs until November 20, 2026, and concerns the proposed mechanism for recovering costs of maintaining import capability.Oilprice.com: “the regulator noted as it opened a consultation until November 20, 2026 on keeping the existing capacity.”
SupportedGlenn Bryn-Jacobsen said: “Maintaining import capability through the continental interconnectors has been identified as an important action to strengthen resilience by enhancing the ability of the gas system to respond to more challenging situations in the very unlikely event that they arise.”Oilprice.com: ““Maintaining import capability through the continental interconnectors has been identified as an important action to strengthen resilience by enhancing the ability of the gas system to respond to more challenging situations in the very unlikely event that they arise,” said Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen, Director of Energy Systems and Resilience at National Gas.”
SupportedJack Presley Abbott said: “Maintaining these important gas links is important as longer-term changes to the energy system continue.”Oilprice.com: “Jack Presley Abbott, Director of Energy Systems Management and Security at Ofgem, commented, “Maintaining these important gas links is important as longer-term changes to the energy system continue.”