An annual assessment of the UK’s gas security by the independent National Energy System Operator warns of an emerging critical risk to Britain’s gas supply. Thanks Miliband…
The report, due to be released later today, has “identified an emerging risk to gas supply security where decarbonisation is slowest or in the unlikely event of the loss of the single largest piece of gas infrastructure on the system.” NESO predicts that severe cold weather for 11 days combined with the failure of the UK’s “single largest piece” of gas infrastructure would result in an unbridgeable gap between demand and gas supply. Shutdown point – factories, power stations, and homes…
As it happens Britain is still reliant on gas. NESO says it has observed a “rapid decline” in gas fields and decarbonisation will not unilaterally fix the problem. It has suggested ministers construct new storage facilities, LNG terminals, or onshore pipelines to mitigate an inbound crisis. The government has launched a consultation in response. Co-conspirators can decide for themselves whether Miliband will get the wake-up call…
A DESNZ spokesperson said:
“Gas will continue to play a key role in our energy system as we transition to clean, more secure, homegrown energy. This report sets out clearly that decarbonisation is the best route to energy security – helping us reduce demand for gas while getting us off the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuel markets. We are working with industry to ensure the gas system is fit for the future, including maintaining security of supply – which is paramount.”
The North Sea Transition Authority has ordered Cuadrilla to destroy the UK’s only viable shale gas wells, forcing the company to fill them with concrete and decommission the site by June 2025. Cuadrilla confirmed the process will begin next month. A reminder that Britain was on the verge of blackouts just this month…
National Gas data shows UK gas stockpiles have collapsed by 36.7% compared to last year, and by 2030, Britain will be importing 70% of its gas. Centrica has warned storage levels are “dangerously low”, while last week the IEA dropped a bombshell report predicting global gas demand will hit record highs by 2025 and warning that supplies remain “fragile”. Richard Tice slammed the madness as “more insanity from Red Ed”, while Cuadrilla’s CEO warned of the serious energy security risks:
“Keeping these wells open doesn’t cost taxpayers a penny, but once they are concreted over then we lose easy access to supplies of shale gas that could be used for decades to come. As President Zelensky pointed out earlier this month, European nations are still far too exposed to Russian gas supply. Britain should do what it does best and look to help extricate the continent from Moscow’s orbit.”
Just last week Reeves touted how she told watchdog bosses to “tear down regulatory barriers” blocking economic growth and Starmer today vowed to “clear out the regulatory weeds” to boost investment. Labour’s Net Zero vs Growth war rolls on…
Batting away critical points from Nick Robinson on the Today Programme, Tony Blair said:
“I always used to say the greatest source of election-losing advice was the Guardian.”