Brexit trial by fire

UK energy sector faces significant challenges uncoupling from the EU after decades of codependency

The UK’s and the EU’s energy systems are closely linked—physically, through interconnectors, and also through a backdrop of common standards, regulations and financing. Disconnecting the two systems will, though, have a bigger impact on the UK. While the Brexit transition period will end in December 2020 with or without a trade agreement, the energy sector is unlikely to be affected significantly by a deal per se, given the indications that it would be relatively shallow. But the sector will be influenced over the next few years by the political mood music that reverberates from the final agreement. The UK is dependent on energy imports, with an overall 35pc of net energy imported. This is s