UK Set to Approve Jackdaw Gas Field by Mid-September as Prices Hit 3-Year High

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 3

Mid-September approval for the Jackdaw gas field is now expected, with the UK government weighing a final decision after an August consultation and separate rulings promised for Jackdaw and Rosebank.
Energy security has sharpened the case: wholesale gas prices have climbed to a three-year high after the Iran war, while the UK imports more than 60% of its gas and Europe entered autumn with unusually low storage.
Jackdaw was cleared in 2022 but stalled after a Scottish court ruled the government had unlawfully approved it without fully assessing emissions from burning the extracted fuel; updated climate estimates were published in July.
Adura says the field is 99% complete and could start supplying homes this winter, with peak output covering up to 6% of UK demand, though environmental groups put the figure nearer 2% and say it will not cut bills.
The dispute captures Labour's broader balancing act: ministers and industry argue domestic gas supports jobs and infrastructure, while campaigners say Jackdaw's lifetime emissions could reach 35.8 million tonnes and undermine climate goals.