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The UK public is in favour of prioritising using natural gas produced in the UK over importing gas from overseas, an alliance of leading trade associations has revealed.
More of half of those polled (55 per cent) said natural gas, including shale gas, should be used to meet our “incredibly dependent” use of gas in the future.
The alliance said that despite the continuing importance of North Sea gas production, Britain will be dependent on imports for up to 75 per cent of its gas needs by 2030.
The research also showed that over 56 per cent of the UK population has concerns about power supplies over the forthcoming winter and 70 per cent feel heating and cooking, two activities almost exclusively powered by gas, are the most important energy uses in their daily life.
Two thirds, 66 per cent, agree that natural gas has a role to play in helping the UK become a low carbon economy.
The alliance – including the EEF the Manufacturers’ Organisation, the Energy Intensive Users Group and Oil and Gas UK – joined together to call for a “much needed dialogue” on gas uses and needs in the UK.
Alliance member the Chemical Industries Association’s energy director Nick Sturgeon said: “As an industry we need to do more to ensure we explain the value of gas to the economy and the environment.
“Gas heats 84 per cent of our homes, produces 30 per cent of our electricity and is an essential ingredient in everyday items such as mobile phones and toothbrushes.”
The call follows the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ recent report suggesting that the UK will face an unprecedented electricity supply gap in a decade’s time due to the expected decline in coal and nuclear as power stations are decommissioned.
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