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“The UK has a need for more gas storage capacity”
Energy security is a basic necessity in a modern economy. Any loss of supply to our members can cause significant damage to their manufacturing plants.
Many industrial users operate continuous high-temperature processes such as brick kilns, and are unable to provide a demand-side response – and would be at risk of disconnection before domestic users.
Managing the UK gas and electricity network during peak periods should not be reliant on either voluntary or imposed disconnections to balance the system. For those unable to offer a demand-side response this approach threatens jobs, damages productivity and affects investment decisions.
Gas storage capacity has reduced due to capacity reductions at Rough and Hornsea, and although the UK does not directly receive gas from Russia, about 15 per cent of imports to the UK are from Europe (where large supplies do originate from Russia).
If gas supplies to Europe are disrupted this will impact the UK as this supply route is tightened and as Dutch and Norwegian imports are directed away.
In the event of a gas supply emergency, the largest consumers, such as ceramic manufacturers, are the first to be instructed to cease using gas.
The British Ceramic Confederation continues to advocate the need for more gas storage for the UK. The market hasn’t delivered, and as a result we think measures such a Public Service Obligation are needed.
Lee Brownsword, technical and environmental adviser, British Ceramic Confederation
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