Business · Energy & Commodities · 8 hrs ago
US-China energy rivalry puts pressure on UK bills and climate goals
UK households could see energy bills rise by more than a quarter in January, adding about £460 a year for a typical home, according to supplier forecasts.
Oil and gas prices have climbed since US and Israeli strikes on Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in February.
Winter could push prices higher as gas demand rises and Europe's gas stores are at their lowest level since records began in 2011.
The crisis reflects a wider contest: the US is backing oil and gas, while China is exporting clean-energy technology such as solar panels, batteries and electric cars.
The UK depends on both, importing nearly a quarter of its gas from the US and much of its clean-energy equipment from China.
Its recent choices include blocking a proposed Chinese wind-turbine factory on security grounds and approving the Jackdaw North Sea gas field.
The UK faces a difficult choice between affordable energy and cutting emissions, as leaders meet for the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey.
The United States and China are pursuing competing energy strategies that could affect UK energy bills and climate goals.
The US is backing oil and gas, while China is expanding exports of solar panels, batteries and electric cars.
The UK is caught between the two: it imports nearly a quarter of its gas from the US and much of its clean-energy equipment from China.
Forecasts from British Gas, EDF and E.ON suggest a typical UK household’s energy bill could rise by around £460 a year in January.
The UK blocked a proposed Chinese wind-turbine factory on national-security grounds and approved a new North Sea gas field.
- Who
- The United States and China are competing over energy. The UK is affected by their rival strategies.
- What
- The rivalry between fossil fuels and clean-energy technologies is putting pressure on UK energy costs and climate goals.
- When
- The article was published on 10 November 2026; it says bills could rise in January.
- Where
- The story focuses on the UK and describes the rivalry as global.
- Why
- The US is promoting oil and gas, while China is exporting technologies such as solar panels and batteries. The UK depends on both.
United States
China
Energy strategy
United States
The US is backing oil and gas and pressing allies to buy them.
China
China is exporting solar panels, batteries and electric cars that can replace fossil fuels.
US and Israeli strikes on Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, after which oil and gas prices soared.
The UK government blocked Ming Yang’s proposed wind-turbine factory after US lawmakers urged it to do so, citing national security.
The UK approved the Jackdaw North Sea gas field.
Forecasts from British Gas, EDF and E.ON suggest the typical UK household’s bill could rise by around £460 a year.
- Forecast bill increase
- Around £460 a year for a typical UK household
- UK gas imports from the US
- Nearly a quarter
- Ming Yang factory proposal
- £1.5bn and up to 1,500 jobs initially generated
- Jackdaw
- New North Sea gas field approved
- Last energy shock
- £63bn extra for households, or around £2,200 each