Lords to investigate energy security after Brexit

Committee to examine implications of withdrawing from Euratom

A House of Lords committee has launched a new inquiry into the implications of Brexit for the UK’s energy security.

The cross-party EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee’s probe will examine the issues that the government will need to consider as the UK embarks on disentangling itself from its close energy relationship with the EU.

Amongst the issues under the committee’s microscope are:

• How the Single Energy Market on the island of Ireland can be maintained;
• The implications of withdrawing from the Euratom Treaty;
• The UK’s approach to funding energy infrastructure investment and energy research post-Brexit
• What the UK can learn from other non-EU countries’ experience of trading energy with the EU

Announcing the inquiry, the committee said UK and the EU have common energy needs, and rely on common rules and an energy market to help ensure a secure energy supply.

“Leaving the EU exposes the UK energy system to some critical uncertainties, with potential impacts for both industry and consumers,” the committee added.

The new inquiry will build upon a report published by the House of Commons BEIS (business, energy and industrial strategy) select committee in the run up to the general election.