# Ofgem Approves Plan to Maintain UK Gas Import Capacity

> The UK energy regulator's decision to maintain gas import capacity from Belgium could add £1.19 per year to domestic gas bills.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-25T18:15:46.670833Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/ofgem-approves-plan-to-maintain-uk-gas-import-capacity-4eff5de4

On October 22, 2026, the UK energy regulator Ofgem approved an agreement with Interconnector Limited and National Gas to maintain gas import capacity at approximately 27.8 gigawatts through the pipeline connecting Great Britain and Belgium, preventing a planned reduction to 16.5 gigawatts [6][11][13]. This decision followed the UK government's approval of the Jackdaw gas field project on October 21, 2026, which aims to boost domestic energy supply [2][3][5].

This regulatory intervention seeks to safeguard the UK's energy security, particularly for potential periods of high demand [6][8]. However, the estimated £147 million cost for maintaining this capacity could translate into an additional charge of about £1.19 per year for typical domestic gas customers over five years [11][13][14].

## What the records show
Ofgem formally approved an agreement between Interconnector Limited and National Gas on October 22, 2026, to prevent a further reduction in gas import capacity via the pipeline linking Great Britain and Belgium [6][7][9][13]. This agreement will maintain the pipeline's capacity at roughly 27.8 GW, instead of allowing it to fall to 16.5 GW [11][12]. The regulator noted that import capacity through continental interconnectors has decreased in recent years due to weaker commercial incentives and technical constraints [6][8][10]. Ofgem simultaneously launched a consultation process, open until November 20, 2026, to determine how the estimated £147 million in associated costs will be recovered [6][13][14]. These costs could result in an additional charge of approximately £1.19 per year on typical domestic gas bills for five years [11][13][14].

## The timeline
On October 21, 2026, the UK government granted consent for the Jackdaw gas field development in the North Sea [2][3][4]. Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh stated the project would "begin supplying gas by the end of this month" [3][5]. The following day, October 22, 2026, Ofgem approved the agreement to maintain gas import capacity from Belgium [6][13]. On the same day, Ofgem launched a public consultation regarding the cost recovery mechanism for this agreement, with the consultation period closing on November 20, 2026 [6][13].

## What changed and for whom
The approved agreement ensures gas import capacity from Belgium will remain at 27.8 GW for the upcoming winter, instead of the planned decrease to 16.5 GW [11][12]. This action is intended to enhance Britain's energy security and resilience, particularly during periods of high demand or significant supply disruptions [6][8]. For domestic gas customers, this increased security carries a potential direct cost: the estimated £147 million expense might add about £1.19 to their annual gas bills for five years [11][13][14]. National Gas welcomed the consultation on license modifications designed to facilitate this agreement [15].

## What the subject has said publicly
Jack Presley Abbott, Ofgem's director of energy systems management and security, stated that Ofgem had "seen a significant reduction in the amount of gas that can be imported through the pipelines linking Great Britain with Europe" [6]. He added, "We have approved the agreement needed to maintain this important capability" [6]. Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen, director of energy systems and resilience at National Gas, indicated that analyses by several entities identified stress scenarios where additional resilience measures would be beneficial [6]. Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh commented that the Jackdaw project would "begin supplying gas by the end of this month, helping ease energy costs that have surged during the Iran war" [3].

## What we could not confirm
The precise start date for the £1.19 annual charge on domestic gas bills could not be confirmed [11][13][14]. The final decision by Ofgem on the recovery mechanism for the £147 million cost, following the consultation, is also not yet available [6][13].

## Evidence cited
1. UK approves Jackdaw gas field despite environmental concerns and limited economic benefit (climateaction.org) — https://climateaction.org/
2. UK government grants fresh consent for Jackdaw gas field - Oilfield Technology (oilfieldtechnology.com) — https://oilfieldtechnology.com/
3. UK approves long-delayed Jackdaw gas field on energy security grounds - Gas Processing News (gasprocessingnews.com) — https://gasprocessingnews.com/
4. The Jackdaw Gas Field Approval of October 2026 (diplomacyandlaw.com) — https://diplomacyandlaw.com/
5. Jackdaw gas field gets green light - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) — https://www.gov.uk/
6. Ofgem approves Interconnector-National Gas deal to stop further cuts to U.K.-Belgium pipeline import capacity (pgjonline.com) — https://pgjonline.com/
7. Ofgem approves deal to maintain UK gas import capacity (euronext.com) — https://euronext.com/
8. Ofgem approves deal to preserve gas import capacity from Belgium to Britain — EXPRO Consulting (expro.com.ua) — https://expro.com.ua/
9. Ofgem Approves Agreement to Preserve UK-Belgium Gas Import Capacity, Initiates Cost Recovery Consultation (globalbankingandfinance.com) — https://globalbankingandfinance.com/
10. Ofgem Moves To Keep UK Gas Import Capacity From Mainland Europe | OilPrice.com (oilprice.com) — https://oilprice.com/
11. Ofgem preserves Belgium gas link capacity at 27.8 GW - VoltGrid News (voltgridnews.com) — https://voltgridnews.com/
12. INT supports Great Britain's security of supply (fluxys.com) — https://fluxys.com/
13. Ofgem approves deal to reinforce gas import capability through Great Britain-Belgium interconnector (ofgem.gov.uk) — https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/
14. UK scrambles to avert gas crisis as £147m cost added to energy bills (express.co.uk) — https://www.express.co.uk/
15. National Gas welcomes Ofgem consultation on gas import capability - National Gas (nationalgas.com) — https://www.nationalgas.com/