# Ofgem warns Britain could face winter gas shortages in severe cold

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/outrage-as-ofgem-admits-britain-could-run-out-of-gas/
- Published: 2026-10-22T22:53:49+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T23:07:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16231607/Outrage-Ofgem-admits-Britain-run-gas.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Geopolitics, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Ofgem warned a severe cold snap and major outage could leave gas supplies short.
- Falling North Sea reserves and lower imports have reduced supply resilience.
- Jackdaw is expected to lift peak domestic gas production by around 6 per cent.

## Summary

Ofgem warned that Britain could face a gas shortfall this winter if demand peaks during very cold weather and a major supply source fails. The regulator said resilience has weakened as North Sea reserves fall and imports decline, prompting political criticism over the country’s preparedness and reliance on overseas supplies.

Ofgem said a negative supply margin could arise on a “1-in-20” cold day if the largest element of gas infrastructure were lost, and warned the position could tighten further in future. It has approved a gas agreement with Belgium, while the newly approved Jackdaw North Sea project is expected to raise domestic gas production by around 6 per cent at its peak. Ministers say the gas will mainly serve the UK market, but acknowledge the project will contribute to climate change and will not lower prices.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.