GDNs poised to ‘help facilitate shale gas’

The gas distribution networks (GDNs) will “be on hand” to help facilitate shale gas, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) has said.

A spokesperson for the group told Utility Week: “If policy makers decide to pursue this source of gas then our networks will be on hand to play a central role in facilitating shale gas and connecting it to the grid.”

The group said shale gas “has the potential to play a role in the UK’s energy mix” by helping “diversify supply, lower costs, reduce reliance on imports and cut carbon emissions”.

“Research commissioned by ENA demonstrates that keeping a variety of options of fuels open to decarbonise heat gives lower risks, and potentially a lower cost path than pursuing a narrower end point,” it added.

Yesterday, Lancashire County Council recommended that fracking firm Cuadrilla receive planning consent to extract shale gas at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire, marking the first time a council has backed an application for fracking since the government’s temporary ban.

The process to extract shale gas, known as hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) has created considerable controversy amongst policymakers and green groups.

It requires a large amount of water and there is a worry that dangerous chemicals could escape the site and contaminate surrounding groundwater. There are also concerns that it may cause earthquakes.

In March, Cuadrilla chief executive Francis Egan insisted there is a “zero per cent” chance that the public water supply will be polluted by the fracking process. And a recent report by the US Environmental Protection Agency found no evidence to suggest that the process has no widespread effect on water supply.

Prime minister David Cameron has long been supportive of shale gas exploration. Last year he told the World Economic Forum that Europe needs to “embrace the opportunities of shale gas” to ensure the continent “can benefit from the next phases of globalisation”.

The Green Party accused the government of having a “creepily cosy” relationship with shale gas developers after emails unearthed by Greenpeace showed government officials have collaborated with the companies in their public relations work.