Energy costs in Great Britain and Hong Kong have risen significantly because geopolitical conflicts have disrupted the supply of natural gas.

由於地緣政治衝突干擾了天然氣供應，英國與香港的能源成本顯著上升。

The current increase in energy costs is mainly caused by the instability of oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to conflict in Iran. In Great Britain, this has led to a 13% increase in the quarterly price cap, meaning the average annual cost for households has risen to £1,862. Furthermore, data from Ofgem shows that consumer energy debt has reached a record high of about £4.8 billion. Consequently, the new administration led by Andy Burnham is under pressure to help citizens, even though Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to bring back the general support systems used in 2022.

目前的能源成本上漲主要是由於伊朗衝突導致通過霍爾木茲海峽的石油與天然氣運輸不穩定。在英國，這導致季度價格上限上漲了 13%，意味著家庭平均年成本已上升至 1,862 英鎊。此外，Ofgem 的數據顯示，消費者能源債務已達到約 48 億英鎊的歷史新高。因此，由 Andy Burnham 領導的新政府面臨壓力，必須協助公民，儘管財政大臣 Rachel Reeves 拒絕恢復 2022 年使用的通用支援系統。

Some experts and companies, such as Good Energy, argue that the UK needs structural market reform. They suggest separating electricity prices from gas prices by turning gas plants into a strategic reserve. Although this change would cost the Treasury £10.1 billion, it could reduce annual household bills by £270. In response to these pressures, the government has emphasized its current support, which includes a £150 cost reduction and the extension of the warm home discount to 6 million households.

一些專家和公司（如 Good Energy）主張英國需要結構性的市場改革。他們建議將天然氣電廠轉為策略儲備，以將電價與氣價脫鉤。雖然這項變動將使財政部損失 101 億英鎊，但可使每戶家庭每年減少 270 英鎊的開支。面對這些壓力，政府強調其目前的支援措施，包括 150 英鎊的成本減免，以及將暖房折扣擴及至 600 萬戶家庭。

Similarly, Hong Kong is struggling with supply problems in the Middle East. HK Electric reported that fuel surcharges increased by 34% in July because the city relies heavily on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Managing Director Francis Cheng explained that since Middle Eastern shipments stopped, the company had to buy gas from the 'spot market,' where prices are higher than in long-term contracts. While a subsidy for low-income residential users has been introduced, prices will likely remain high until normal export levels return to the region.

同樣地，香港也正與中東的供應問題搏鬥。香港電燈報告指出，由於香港高度依賴液化天然氣 (LNG)，7 月份的燃料附加費增加了 34%。董事總經理鄭正剛解釋，自中東運輸停止後，公司必須從「現貨市場」購買天然氣，而該市場的價格高於長期合約。雖然已為低收入住宅用戶引入補貼，但在該地區恢復正常出口水平之前，價格可能會維持在高位。

Energy prices remain high in both regions as a direct result of political instability in the Middle East and a heavy dependence on gas.

由於中東政治不穩定以及對天然氣的高度依賴，兩個地區的能源價格依然維持在高位。