The UK is officially leaving the EU. What now for energy?
UK prime minister Theresa May has hailed the dawn of a "Global Britain", but Brexit's critics say it will cripple the economy, kill access to its main market, spark ruinous inflation and shred the country's global influence.
Now that Article 50 has been signed, officially starting the process of the UK leaving the EU, what will it mean for energy? Here are the six main impacts we have identified. What if Scotland leaves - and takes its oil? Most Scots voted to remain in the EU and Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold a second referendum sometime in the next two years. About 80% of the UK's oil is produced from Scotland's Exclusive Economic Zone, and the share is rising. If Scotland left, the UK could lose all that. Now that May has triggered Article 50 officially starting the UK's departure from the EU — the country has two years to sort out the divorce. May says the UK will leave the EU with
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy






