Five European leaders have told Brussels that Britain should pay for access to the European Union's internal electricity market, adding a financial condition ahead of the EU-UK summit on 20 November.

The leaders of Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands wrote to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa, urging them to link British participation in the market to a contribution to the bloc's regional development funds.

"An agreement on an appropriate financial contribution by the UK towards reducing economic, social and territorial disparities between the regions of the Union should be linked with the integration of the UK into the EU electricity market," the letter says.

What the five countries want

The signatories are Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

The five countries argue that closer integration would strengthen energy security, cut reliance on fossil fuels and unlock the North Sea's offshore wind potential, pointing to ambitions for up to 100 GW of joint projects and 300 GW of offshore wind energy.

London says no amount agreed

UK Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net-Zero Martin McCluskey said Britain is negotiating to understand the EU proposal and that no amount or contribution has been agreed, adding that any payment would have to deliver value for money.

Norway offers one possible model: it takes part in the EU internal market and contributes about €391 million a year to grants for less prosperous European regions.

The 20 November summit is not expected to produce a finished electricity agreement, but the five leaders want it to agree a path towards concluding the talks. Euronews and AFP