Gas Crisis: Warm(ish) weather reduces demand for gas - government should not relax

11.06.09am GMT Sat 10th Dec 2005

If the weather stays as it is, and the Russians don't turn the tap off, the UK will not face a Gas Emergency according to the Independent Energy Scrutiny Panel.

"Gas consumption is mainly influenced by the weather. The colder the weather the more gas we use. Perhaps around 30,000,000 million fewer cubic metres of gas are being burnt now, than one would expect at these temperatures, mainly because it is so expensive. This has implications for the economy, but it has brought consumption down and reduced extractions from storage.", said John Hemming MP who chairs the panel.

"Imports from Europe, however, are still running at only around 25 mcm/d so the government have failed to increase gas imports. The rate of extract from storage now would indicate that the stored gas would last until August."

"The government should not relax, however. All it takes is a cold spell and we start massive extractions from storage. Traditional weather patterns seen in recent years still give a substantial risk of a Gas Emergency in January or February. "

"The government's approach on the Isle of Grain is to be welcomed, but having considered the details of their proposals on the interconnector we don't hold out much hope of success there."

"A gas emergency could impact the UK in the same way that the Coal Crisis of 1947 hit the country."

"Furthermore, what we don't know is how long alternative supplies can act where they are being used for electricity generation."

ENDS