UK-EU energy co-operation ‘vital’ to shield against geopolitical shocks, expert warns
Energy cooperation with the EU is “absolutely vital” to protect the UK from price spikes following geopolitical shocks, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an expert has warned.
Speaking at an evidence session of the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission (UKTBC) of MPs and business leaders, Jonny Peters, chief of staff at independent European climate change think tank, E3G, stressed that the UK working with the EU was crucial in order to “mitigate the impact” of potential future price spikes on UK consumers, in the wake of major geopolitical shocks.
During the live Q&A session on strengthening UK-EU energy cooperation, Peters told the commissioners: “It's worth saying, in 2022, in the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the price spikes were huge.
“And the UK being in a costly third country trading place with the EU, the costs were increased there because of the nature of our trading relationship with the EU.”
He continued: “These kind of unforeseen geopolitical situations, it's absolutely vital that we invest in the UK-EU relationship, including through the negotiations, to make sure we mitigate the impact of those price spikes into the UK and consumers.”
It comes just days after the UK signed a clean energy security pact with nine other European countries, including to build new offshore wind farms which will connect directly to more than one country, via interconnectors.
While in December 2025, minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced that the UK and the European Commission has “concluded exploratory talks” on the UK participating in the EU’s internal electricity market, and would “now work towards negotiating” the UK’s participation and the “necessary framework”.
In their joint statement, Thomas-Symonds and Šefčovič said: “Closer cooperation on electricity would bring real benefits to businesses and consumers across Europe, drive up investment in the North Seas and strengthen energy security.”
Andrew Lewin, Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield and chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission (UKTBC), said:
“The UK faced one of the biggest energy price spikes in the world in 2022 and we paid the price through our bills - all because we were too reliant on gas. We need to generate more renewable energy at home and strengthen co-operation with our closest allies in the European Union, which is why the government is absolutely right to be seeking to join the EU internal market for energy.
“I am encouraged that negotiations with the EU are moving forward and the expert panel convened by the UKTBC today made clear that they think an agreement will be in the interests of both parties. The sooner we can sign a deal, the better."