Energy exports from the UK to the Netherlands surged in June, official figures have revealed.
Data from the Government showed that exports rose by 67 per cent in June compared with the same period last year, amid Europe’s pursuit to ween itself off Russian gas.
The Netherlands took £1bn worth of British power as Russia restricted the flow of gas to the continent.
Due to this, Dutch natural gas storage facilities were filled to 50 per cent of their capacity by the end of June, the Guardian reports, two months earlier than usual.
Although exports came from the UK, the origin of the gas is unknown although earlier this year, the UK’s ambassador to the US, Karen Pierce, said: “We are working with the Americans to get more liquid natural gas into Europe.”
According to Government figures, the UK imported more than £25billion in fossil fuels, compared with £8.9billion for the same period last year.
William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, told reporters: “There is now an urgent need for real delivery by the UK government’s export strategy to support the growth ambitions of UK exporting businesses.”
Overall exports to the EU of products of all types jumped by 16.3 per cent between April and June, compared to the previous three months - Office of National Statistics data has shown.
