Britain has enough gas, network says amid warnings stores are low
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Britain has enough gas, the network operator has said after warnings that stores are at “concerningly low” levels. National Gas said on Friday that supplies remain “healthy” and that Britain is “well-placed” to respond to demands this winter.
It added that gas stocks kept at the UK’s storage sites are well-above half full. It comes after energy giant Centrica said UK supplies have fallen to “concerningly low” levels with less than a week’s worth of demand for gas in store. Stocks were 26% lower than the same period last year, leaving them about half full, it claimed.
A National Gas spokesperson said: “The overall picture across Great Britain’s eight main gas storage sites remains healthy. “Britain obtains its gas from a diverse range of sources beyond that already in storage, meaning we are well placed to respond to demand this winter.”.
Gas inventory levels have come under pressure from the cold weather conditions and the end of Russian gas pipeline supplies through Ukraine at the end of last month. Natural gas accounted for 53% of power in the UK on Friday, according to National Grid data, with renewables meeting just 16% of the country’s needs.
The UK has among the smallest amount of gas storage of any major European countries, with capacity to hold enough gas for 12 average days or 7.5 peak winter days. Germany has enough for 89 days, France has 103 days and the Netherlands 123 days. Centrica boss Chris O’Shea said storage levels are “concerningly low”.
