We must have access to reliable and affordable energy supplies in the future.

The UK will become increasingly dependent on energy imports as domestic supplies run out. This is making us more reliant on global energy supplies at a time when global demand is rising.

Many oil and gas supplies are also concentrated in less stable regions.

How will we secure energy?

The FCO works closely with the Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (Berr) and other government departments to:

• minimise destabilising swings in oil and gas prices
• liberalise EU energy markets 
• develop transparent, competitive, stable and sustainable oil and gas markets
• develop the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an effective policy forum
• identify and prevent sabotage, terrorist attacks and international threats to energy infrastructures
• help implement the EU External Energy Policy 
• improve the resilience and security of energy networks 
• promote the uptake of renewable and efficient energy sources 
• improve emergency oil stocking arrangements
• encourage closer dialogue between producer, consumer and transit states
• maintain a detailed understanding of the market place to flexibly respond to changes.

Our work is key to the UK Government’s international and domestic energy strategy. The Energy white paper: meeting the energy challenge, published in May 2007, explains the strategy in full.