We still hear Brexiteers claiming the EU need us more than we need them. Nigel Evans MP, is quoted in The Express (HERE) saying that leaving without a deal will hit the EU "very hard indeed". There is no doubt some truth in this but however hard they're hit we would be impacted far more. To illustrate how wrong this is you might want to have a look at the governments's energy trends data (HERE) and in particular Annex I - (HERE) the figures for where our major sources of energy will come from in future.
Note in the tables we currently have access to 5 Giga Watts (GW) of power through the so-called interconnectors (HERE). These are connections to Ireland, France and Holland but more connections are planned (HERE) with France, Norway and Beligium and by 2025 we will have access to 19 GW of power.
According to UtilityWise:
The UK will significantly strengthen its electricity links with the rest of Europe via interconnectors over the next five years. This will provide the British power market with access to greater supplies and improved flexibility in meeting peak demand.
Tight surplus power margins triggered sharp spikes in Day-ahead power prices this winter. The issue is expected to remain a problem in 2017/18. The incentive for investment in increased interconnection for the UK is clear.
So, by 2025 we could be relying on Europe for around 20% of our energy needs at times of peak demand. I don't suggest for a second this is likely to be affected by Brexit and they will continue to sell us power whatever happens in the negotiations, but in times of heightened demand in Europe or disruption to supplies in the future caused by instability, with Russian gas supplies through Ukraine for example, would the EU regard providing power to a third country as important as supplying their own market? I doubt it.
So, by 2025 we could be relying on Europe for around 20% of our energy needs at times of peak demand. I don't suggest for a second this is likely to be affected by Brexit and they will continue to sell us power whatever happens in the negotiations, but in times of heightened demand in Europe or disruption to supplies in the future caused by instability, with Russian gas supplies through Ukraine for example, would the EU regard providing power to a third country as important as supplying their own market? I doubt it.
It's clear we need them far more than they need us.
