EU capitals urge Brussels to ‘swiftly’ sign electricity deal with UK

LONDON — The leaders of five EU countries have urged Brussels to “swiftly” sign a deal to let the U.K. back into the single market for electricity. In a letter seen by POLITICO, sent earlier this week, the leaders of Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Luxembourg say this month’s U.K.-EU summit should set out “a path” to getting the talks over the line as soon as possible. Last year Brussels and London agreed to start negotiations on the U.K.

rejoining the internal electricity market — but progress has been slow going and talks are not expected to be finished by the Nov. 20 meeting. A group of countries are now urging the European Commission to wrap up discussions by the end of 2027, according to an EU diplomat granted anonymity to discuss internal discussions. Proponents say the plan would unlock new renewable energy investment in the North Sea and could cut electricity prices.

But the EU says the U.K. would have to make a contribution to EU cohesion funds as the price of participating in the market — a politically difficult ask for London.