The superpower battle over energy – and what it means for your bills

The superpower battle over energy – and what it means for your bills

A tug-of-war between China and the US could have a big impact on energy costs, but who will win?

China is betting on electrons: flooding the world with solar panels, batteries, and electric cars that can replace fuels.

Whether the bet on fossil fuels or renewables wins will shape not just what the world pays for energy, but how fast it can cut emissions that are heating the planet.

The UK, which already buys nearly a quarter of its imported gas from America and much of its clean energy kit from China, is being pulled both ways. So which path will it take? Is there a middle way and what will it all mean for your bills?

Gas prices could jump by more than a quarter – around £460 extra a year for the typical UK household – according to latest forecasts.

For the second time in four years, a war thousands of miles away is landing in British inboxes. Winter is expected to push them higher still: demand for gas is rising just as Europe's winter gas stores are at their lowest since records began in 2011.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh says tackling climate change remains a priority after Britain's hottest summer on record. The heatwaves, droughts and wildfires it brought would have been almost impossible without global warming, the Met Office's chief scientist told BBC Panorama.

A gas rig in the North Sea. An oil field in Texas. A solar panel factory in China. They can feel a world away, but your energy bill says otherwise.

In January, it could jump by more than a quarter – around £460 extra a year for the typical UK household – according to the latest forecasts from the big suppliers British Gas, EDF and E. ON.

And there's a bigger threat looming over all of this: the warming climate. Cutting carbon emissions is essential to limit future warming and avoid the most damaging effects of climate change.