A gas hob burning on a stove in a kitchen (Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Ofgem, Britain’s energy regulator, has revealed it is preparing for a gas supply emergency this winter.
Yesterday a letter written by Ofgem was shared online, which revealed a warning that there was a ‘significant risk’ Britain could be hit with gas shortages later this year, because of the war in Ukraine and gas shortages across Europe.
But, in the letter, Ofgem also said that it would protect gas-fired power stations from millions of pounds in costs if they became unable to fulfil promises to supply electricity due to any future gas supply emergency.
An Ofgem spokesperson said Britain is “in a good position with little direct import of gas from Russia; our own domestic gas production; reliable supplies from Norway; and the second-largest port capacity in Europe to import liquified gas”.
The warning about gas supplies this winter has prompted concerns people and businesses could be asked to ration their gas and energy use this winter, to avoid blackouts.
We speak with Carole Nakhle, an energy economist and CEO of research and expertise company Crystol Energy about the prospect of a gas supply emergency this winter.
And Simon Cran-McGreehin, Head of Analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, explains why the gas crisis means we’re in for a ‘bumpy’ winter.
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