British Gas-owner Centrica is buying one of the biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in the UK for £1.7bn, extending the firm's control of the country's energy supplies. National Grid is selling Grain LNG to Centrica and private equity firm Energy Capital Partners to allow it to focus on its electricity and gas networks.

Centrica and Energy Capital Partners have acquired the UK’s largest LNG import terminal, Grain LNG, from National Grid for $2 billion, bolstering Centrica's critical energy infrastructure portfolio.

Deal with Energy Capital Partners to acquire National Grid's Grain LNG is expected to help support the UK's energy security for many decades to come, Centrica said.