The network operator has said the UK gas storage levels has enough gas to meet downtime demand, with British Gas owner Centrica advising of “worryingly low” stockpiles conditions.
Centrica, which owns the country’s biggest gas stockpiles, said the UK had “less than a week’s worth of gas demand” due to less than normal rainfall.
National Gas, which owns the UK gas network, said the UK gets gas from “a variety of sources” and stocks are “healthy”.
The energy judges said that in reality if gas stocks run out, the UK could buy more from Europe and other countries.
Centrica said the UK gas storage levels stockpiles are currently about partially full.
Falling temperatures and rising demand from gas-fired power stations have brought the UK’s downtime gas stocks to a worryingly low state.The company said “extremely high” gas prices “have made filling up storage more fragile.
UK is experiencing a cold snap, with some areas experiencing extremely low night temperatures. Gas central heating is the most common system for heating homes.
According to the Office for National Statistics, nearly three in four households (74%) in England and Wales said it was their only central heating source in 2023.
National Gas, based in the U.K. Ltd., which owns and operates nearly 5,000 long hauls of its gas transmission system, said the “overall picture across Great Britain’s eight main gas storage spots remains healthy, with average conditions above 60 across the board”.
It said it is “well placed to respond to demand during this downtime”.
