Britain’s energy regulator approved an agreement on October 22 intended to prevent a further reduction in gas import capacity through the interconnector linking Great Britain and Belgium. National Gas arranged the agreement with Interconnector Limited after analysis identified value in retaining access during rare, high-stress conditions.

The undersea links with Belgium and the Netherlands can move gas in either direction. They are used only occasionally for British imports, but can provide flexibility during severe winter demand or if a major supply source is lost. Ofgem says import capability has declined because commercial incentives weakened and technical capacity was reduced.

A separate consultation concerns licence changes and financial instruments that would let National Gas recover the cost of maintaining the capability. Ofgem estimates the action would cost a domestic gas customer less than 10 pence a month over five years. That estimate remains tied to the proposed funding mechanism rather than a final bill decision.

Approval of the operating agreement does not determine the consultation’s outcome. Ofgem still has to decide how costs should be recovered, and any similar arrangement with another continental interconnector would need its own assessment and approvals. The measure is a resilience option, not evidence that Britain currently lacks enough gas for ordinary conditions.