British Gas boss warns UK at risk of winter fuel shortage ‘with almost no gas in storage’
Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea has warned that the UK enters winter with very limited gas storage, arguing this creates risks for household energy costs, energy security and national security. He urged the government to support redevelopment of the Rough offshore storage facility, saying time was running out as prices are already elevated amid disruption to global energy markets.
UK gas storage stood at 9,356.6 GWh, compared with 13,635 GWh at the same point a year earlier, while the country can store only about 5 per cent of annual demand. Gas supplies roughly a third of UK energy use, with more than a third of imports coming from Norway and further LNG arriving mainly from the US and Qatar; the government said it remained confident in supply security because of its diverse sources.
- Centrica warns UK winter gas storage is unusually low.
- It seeks support for a £2bn Rough storage redevelopment.
- Government says diversified supplies should protect energy security.
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Gas storage holds supplies for times when demand rises or imports are disrupted. The UK has relatively little capacity, and stores only a small share of the gas it uses in a year. Gas provides about a third of the country’s energy, including for heating homes and generating electricity.
Centrica, which owns British Gas, is an energy company; its chief executive, Chris O’Shea, has called for the Rough offshore storage site to be redeveloped. The UK also gets gas through pipelines from Norway and imports liquefied natural gas, including from the US and Qatar. The government says these varied sources help keep supplies secure.
Storage levels matter because they can affect how much gas is available during periods of high demand or disruption, and may influence energy prices. The debate is about how much extra storage the UK needs and the role it should play alongside supplies from abroad.
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The case for
Very limited storage could leave the UK more exposed to supply disruptions or price spikes during a cold winter, when demand rises and international markets are already unsettled. Rebuilding Rough’s storage capacity could provide a buffer, strengthen energy security and reduce the risk that households and businesses face sudden cost increases.
The case against
Storage is only one part of energy security: the UK also relies on diverse imports, including Norwegian gas and LNG, and the government says it remains confident supplies are secure. Expanding an offshore storage facility takes time and investment, so its value should be weighed against other ways to manage risk, such as maintaining reliable supply routes and reducing dependence on gas over the longer term.