Institution's response to reports of shortage of gas supplies

Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering Policy, Institution of Mechanical Engineers said in response to recent reports about the shortage of gas supplies:

“Demand for gas is currently high, however domestic supplies are unlikely to be affected by this. The National Grid, gas distribution networks, and suppliers work with heavy industries, such as power stations, where continuous supply may not be essential to redirect gas supplies to domestic consumers in times of high demand.

“The UK has several options for bringing additional gas into the system, this includes from gas terminals, LNG and biogas routes, plus the existing ‘pipeline packing’, this is the stored gas within the system. Stored gas in the gas distribution system can provide up to two weeks or more in normal conditions.

“It is possible that the reduction in long term storage facilities for gas in the UK may be contributing to the gas shortage by adding additional stresses to the primary storage options. However as the storage reduction has only been happening over the last few years it is too early to confirm this.” 

Notes to Editors

• For interview requests and queries contact the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Press Office on 020 7973 1261 or email media@imeche.org.
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established in 1847 and has some of the world’s greatest engineers in its history books. It is one of the fastest growing professional engineering institutions. Headquartered in London, we have operations around the world and over 120,000 members in more than 140 countries working at the heart of the most important and dynamic industries such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.