Energy bills are set to rise because Britain will become more reliant on energy imports to fill a shortfall in domestic production, the industry watchdog has warned. Ofgem said supplies are on a "rollercoaster" and heading "downhill fast".
Foreign Office documents seen by ITV News show that ships importing gas from the Middle East are having “citadels” built into them and barbed wire placed around them due to the threat of piracy.
The revelations come on the day that Ofgem has warned that energy prices will increase due to the extra reliance on imports.
ITV News Business Editor Laura Kuenssberg reports:
Our increasing reliance on gas leaves the UK more reliant on an energy supply from a very dangerous part of the world.
So what is behind the new urgency in the warnings about keeping the lights on?
The boss of energy regulator Ofgem has warned that the looming shutdown of several coal power plants will raise energy bills further.